Students and staff across Braintree are celebrating after picking up super GCSE results.

The results are the first time pupils have sat new maths and English exams.

Under the new grading system pupils are graded from nine to one, with nine being the top.

At Alec Hunter Academy 64 per cent of pupils achieved grade four or better in both subjects with 38 per cent achieving grade five or better.

In addition 60 per cent of pupils gained an A* to C in two or more science subjects.

The new numerical grades are not in direct correlation with the old letter grades of A*-G.

A grade 4 or above is now considered a grade C pass in both English and Maths, with the numbers allowing for greater distinction between the top grades.

Headteacher Trevor Lawn said he was delighted with the results.

He said: “This year’s cohort were a lovely year group.

“We were desperately keen to see our young people succeed amid all this uncertainty and they really excelled themselves.

“They worked exceptionally hard and we are very proud of their results across all subjects, as they should be too.

“I should also like to pay tribute to their parents, who fully supported our strategies and worked in partnership with us throughout.

“It is a real pleasure to see the school continue to forge ahead on its journey of sustained improvement, as evidenced by these outcomes.

“I really do hope the students and staff celebrate and reward themselves for their hard work, as the school can’t thank them enough.”

Lynne Pembroke, careers adviser, wished the pupils the best of luck.

She said: “This year group have been a fantastic year group really.

“I know in the future, every one of them will go on to have bright futures, whatever their results.

“Most students I have worked with have a first plan, and then a back up plan if they don’t get quite what they needed.

“We worked with students throughout the year to come up with these plans, and I am always on hand to advise students if they would like advice.

“Even when they leave Year 11 they can contact me and I will always be on hand to help.

“This year group have been the most hard working year group I have ever seen.”

Students from Notley High School celebrated excellent GCSE results.

In total 64 per cent of students gained grades nine to 4 in both English and maths this year. Overall more than two thirds of all results were graded at A*-C, or equivalent.

Among the school’s top performers were Joe Bennett, Hannah Bilboe, William Bolton, James Conway, Alex Deith, Emily Heissig, Daniel Hicks, Jasmine Horsham, Emily Hynes, James Knock, Edward Leggett, Katie Murray, Emily Neate, Isobel Parkes, Eleanor Potter, Megan Ranger-Green, Renee Specketer and Polly Temple.

Between them the students amassed a truly impressive 76 A* and 82 A grades, or the equivalents.

The year’s top performer was head girl Hannah Bilboe, who has gained 9 GCSEs at the equivalent of A* as well as a further A grade.

Daniel Hicks and Isobel Parkes achieved grade 9s in both English and maths.