PUPILS across Dorset are celebrating GCSEs results after collecting their marks as, nationally, top grades have reached record highs.
With exams cancelled for second year in a row due to the pandemic, top-grade results have risen for pupils in England, Wales and North Ireland compared to last year.
READ MORE: GCSE results day 2021 - updates from across Dorset
The traditional A*-G grades have been scrapped and replaced with a number system going from 9-1, with the highest grade as 9 - with 1 the lowest, not including a U (ungraded).
Top grades (7/As and above) rose to 28.9 per cent from 26.2 per cent in 2020, while grades 4/Cs and above - seen as passes - rose to 77.1 per cent up from 76.3 per cent.
Those graduating from Year 11 have had to deal with an unusual and challenging 18-month period, and have had to work through a combination of disruption, online learning and a lack of face-to-face learning.
Thomas Hardye School pupil Bethany Simons, who achieved eleven grade 9s, said: "I got all 9s so obviously I'm ecstatic.
"I got full marks in maths, which is my favourite subject.
"During the pandemic I got used to online learning, but eventually I got bored of home learning and I missed learning in school with my friends."
Bethany will remain at her current school for her A Levels, where she plans to take up maths, further maths, physics and computer science.
READ MORE: Pictures: South Dorset students rejoice amid record-breaking A Level results
Fellow Thomas Hardye pupil Sam Hargreaves said the year has been 'chaotic and stressful', but he is happy with his results.
He said: "I've done around 45 exams during the Easter period. It's been chaotic with the constant changes and quite stressful for us all, but I'm happy with the end result."
Grades have been based on students’ work assessed by their subject teacher using a range of materials.
Connor Heng, also a pupil at Thomas Hardye, achieved high marks in his subject - picking up eight 9s and three 8s.
"Admittedly, the past year and a half have been a struggle because online learning doesn't have all the resources needed," he said.
"I'm planning to stay at Thomas Hardye and study maths, further maths, chemistry and biology for A Levels."
Thomas Hardye headteacher Nick Rutherford said: "The important thing is to celebrate the achievements of pupils.
"It's the first time since the second world war so much has been asked of people so young.
"There's been minimal face-to-face contact with teachers, but our pupils have shown great determination.
"Teachers have also worked tirelessly under difficult circumstances. The effort has been indescribable."
Success was shared in Weymouth too at Budmouth Academy where pupil Archie Harris achieved nine grade 9s and is off to fulfil his lifetime ambition with a professional football contract at Bournemouth Football Club.
Budmouth Academy is run by the The Aspirations Academies Trust, which also have Atlantic Academy Portland under its tutelage.
Alex Short is this year’s best-performing student at Atlantic. He achieved five 9s, four 8s and one grade 6.
He said: "I feel fantastic to have achieved the grades. Home schooling was difficult at first but once I got into a routine it was easy to maintain.
"I'm going to go on to study for a business diploma and computer science and the goal now is to strive for Oxford University."
Atlantic Academy principal Lesley Bishop is 'incredibly proud' of pupils collecting their results today.
She said: "We are incredibly proud of all our Year 11 students.
"We're as ever impressed by the effort they have consistently applied, their resilience and above all their commitment to their education."
Wey Valley Academy pupil Alesis Mallinson was top of her school after securing five 9s, two 8s and three 7s.
Wey Valley principal Rob Russell said: “We're proud of the achievements of our students, especially considering the disruption and difficulties they have face over the past 18 months."
Principal John Cornish, All Saints CE Academy in Weymouth, said: "We'd like to wish all of our pupils the best of luck for the future - we know they will continue to build on their successes when they start the next stage of their academic journeys.
"A particular mention goes to our highest performing pupils - Jamie Tizard - four grade 9s, three grade 8s and two grade 7s, and George Hayes - three grade 9s, five grade 8s, and one grade 7."
Twins, Holly and Chloe Gillett, who are pupils at The Gryphon School, in Sherborne, achieved a fantastic fourteen 9’s, six grade 8’s and a distinction between them.
Sherborne Girls headmistress, Dr Ruth Sullivan, said: "We're delighted pupils have secured the grades of which they are deserving, which will help them progress to the next stage in their educational journey and look back upon with a real sense of pride."
Dorset Council for children and education, Andrew Parry said: "I would like to pay tribute to all young people in Dorset who are getting their results this week.
"There are many different routes, from further education, to apprenticeships, work and training."
Thomas Hardye pupil Abigail Mead said she is most proud of her art and design result, which came back as an 8. She is now set to study Level 3 biology and animal welfare in science at Kingston Maurward College.
Fellow pupil Sophie Hall said she will be studying her A Levels at her current school, where she will study history, English literature, and Media Studies.
Thomas Hardye pupil Mersey Moore said she will be studying performing arts at Weymouth College next year.
She said: "I'm most proud of getting an 8 overall in English Language."
Kate Faley said she will be studying English language and an equestrian course her A Levels at Hartpury College in Gloucester.
Edward Bird, pupil at Thomas Hardye, picked up grade 9s in history and PE, a 7 in maths, and a 6 in French.
Next year he will study PE, history, and physics for his A Levells at Thomas Hardye - and will be taking part in the English Schools Championships as a runner.
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