STUDENTS at Thomas Hardye School upped their game again to achieve another record year of GCSE results.

An impressive 91 per cent of pupils achieved five A* to C GCSEs or more – a total of 413 out of 453 pupils.

That figure was a slight increase on last year, when Thomas Hardye became the first Dorset state school to see more than 90 per cent of students achieve five or more passing grades.

This year also saw 28 per cent of all grades in the top bracket of A or A*.

Top performing pupil Tim Lawson from Dorchester, scooped a remarkable 13 A* grades and one A.

He said: “I’m really chuffed as it’s pretty much as good as you could hope for, so I’m happy.” Megan Shore also opened her envelope to discover an impressive set of results, with 10 A*s and one A.

The Tolpuddle resident said: “I thought it would go well but I’m really happy. That’s so cool!”

Jonathan Bartlett, from Weymouth, looks set to fulfil his career ambition to become a surgeon after recording nine A* grades.

He also achieved two distinctions in music technology and a B and A grade equivalent in ICT.

Jonathan now hopes to study the three sciences and maths at A-level before going on to read medicine at university.

He said: “I’m happy with that, all the effort I put in paid off.”

Maths and English were the leading subjects, with 132 pupils gaining an A or A* in English and 130 in maths.

A total of 90 per cent of students achieved a passing grade in English, while there were also impressive results and pass rates in physics, chemistry, biology, history, French and design technology.

Creative pupils also ensured a 94 per cent pass rate in art and design.

Headteacher Dr Iain Melvin said: “After our record breaking A Level results, yet another record performance of 91 per cent as GCSE retains our place at one of the very best schools in England at GCSE and A Level. These are remarkable results.”

n harry.hogger@dorsetecho.co.uk