Pupils at Richmond Secondary Schools are celebrating overcoming the pandemic and lockdowns to achieve remarkable GCSE results.

Nationally, the proportion of grades awarded at the highest level – 7-9 – are down this year following a return to results based on exams rather than teacher assessment.

However, a number of schools in Richmond – all of which are now rated as either good or outstanding – are doing better than ever.

Nationally, a total of 26.3% of entries were awarded 7/A or above, which down from 28.9% in 2021 but up from 20.8% in 2019. By contrast, many Richmond schools are reporting that around 50% - and higher - scored these high grades.

Grey Court School – "Record breaking results from our hard working GCSE students with 46% of all grades 9-7. Well done everyone.

'A quarter of all GCSE grades awarded were 8-9. 76% of students achieved 5 or above in English and maths.

61 students secured at least 7 subjects at grade 7 or higher. Phenomenal effort!'

Orleans Park School – "Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, our students excelled in all areas of study and have been rewarded with outstanding academic achievement.

"Students achieved an incredibly high set of grades, with 30% of all grades being awarded 8/9 and 50% at grades 9 to 7."

Head of Year, Mr Barrett, said: "All students have shown incredible resilience and I am delighted to see them rewarded with such outstanding grades. I wish all of them every success in the future - each and every one of them deserve it."

The Richmond upon Thames School (RTS). Kelly Dooley, Headteacher, said: "We are so proud of our young people, the very first students to have joined us at RTS back in 2017! We wish you all the best in your exciting next steps and please do stay in touch as we're not done singing your praises!"

Hampton School – "Fantastic to welcome our Fifth Years and their families for #gcseresultsday2022. Congratulations on your exceptional results. It is wonderful to see your hard work and dedication so well-rewarded."

Richmond Park MP, Sarah Olney, said: "Congratulations to all of those in Richmond Park and across the country who received their GCSE results this morning.

"You should all be extremely proud of what you have achieved through the immense challenges of the last few years."

Nationally, the proportion of entries receiving a 4/C - considered a pass - dropped from 77.1% in 2021 to 73.2% this year, a fall of 3.9 percentage points, but higher than 67.3% in 2019.

Girls continued their lead over boys this year, with 30.0% of entries achieving a 7/A, compared with 22.6% for males.

The gap has closed slightly from last year, when 33.4% of female entries were awarded 7/A or above compared with 24.4% for males, a lead of 9.0 percentage points.

Separate figures, published by exams regulator Ofqual, showed that 2,193 16-year-olds in England got grade 9 in all their subjects - including 13 students who did at least 12 GCSEs.

Teddington School – "What a wonderful day! Congratulations to every single year 11.

"Stunning results again for Teddington, with 27% of all grades being level 9 or 8. 71% of all students achieved a level 5 in English and maths. Great performance all round."

Christ's School – "So proud of our Year 11 students: 43% of all GCSE grades awarded were 9-7

73% of students achieved 5+ in English and Maths .

"The queues quickly started to form with students eager to enrol in the Sixth Form."

Radnor House School, Twickenham – "A huge congratulations to all our pupils on their outstanding GCSE results today - 62% 9 - 7 (A*/A); 80% 9 - 6 (A*/B)."

Twickenham MP, Munira Wilson, said: "Huge congratulations to all those who got their GCSE and BTEC results today. You should be very proud given the challenges you have had to grapple with over the past 2.5 years."

Richmond Council said that in contrast to the decline seen nationally, this year's local GCSE results are broadly in line with last year and remain well above national averages.

Provisional figures show that 85% of pupils achieved a grade four or above in English and maths, which compares favourably to the pre-pandemic 2019 national average of 65%, the last time public examinations took place.

Some 69% of students in Richmond upon Thames also secured a grade five or above, which is deemed 'strong' pass in both subjects.

Cllr Penny Frost, Chair of the Education and Children's Services Committee, said: "Congratulations to everyone in Richmond upon Thames who picked up their GCSE results today.

"The disruption to schooling over the past few years has been difficult for young people and the level of the results achieved are testament to the hard work of pupils, teachers and other school staff as well as the tremendous ongoing support offered by parents and carers.

"I wish them all the best in the future."

To support the mental health of young people in Richmond upon Thames young people can access www.kooth.com

Kooth is a free, safe and anonymous place for young people to find online support and counselling.