STUDENTS at Kelly College celebrated their GCSE results with an overall pass rate of 89.7% — and this year's GCSE grades show that 40.6% of GCSEs were at A* and A grades.

Among the highlights of outstanding performances where each pupil achieved A*/A grades across all subjects were Kate Newman, who obtained seven A* and two A grades; Ryan Kingsley, 6.5 A* and three A grades; Darcey Ball, 4.5 A* and five A grades; Rufus Hammerton. five A* and 4.5A grades; William Sorrell, 1.5 A* and eight A grades and Katie Morritt, three A* and six A grades.

Paralympic swimmer Lauren Steadman has passed all her GCSE exams and will move up to the sixth form at Kelly in September.

Headmaster Dr Graham Hawley said: 'I am absolutely delighted for each and every one of our students — they have worked hard and they have earned these results.

'Our team of teachers will be so pleased that all their hard work and commitment to the students have been rewarded with these grades — a huge achievement for a school that does not have an academically selective entry policy.

'In addition to their GCSEs, most of the students have also completed the skills-based ECDL (European Computer Driving Licence), which does not figure in national statistics.'