WITHAM school students were left delighted after achieving some great GCSE results this year.

The Maltings Academy is celebrating after more students passed their core subjects of English and maths.

Compared to the last pre-pandemic GCSE results, five per cent more students achieved the minimum grade 4 benchmark in English and maths.

Braintree and Witham Times: TOP ACHIEVEMENTS: Maltings Academy students with their resultsTOP ACHIEVEMENTS: Maltings Academy students with their results (Image: N/A)

Mum Charlotte Jones proudly watched on as Etienne continued to commit to her studies, despite working through pandemic lockdowns during her time at Maltings Academy.

Etienne collected three grade 9s, five grade 8s and one grade 6 and is heading to sixth form to study A level maths, chemistry and biology.

Braintree and Witham Times: ALL SMILES: Etienne Jones (third from left) and her Maltings Academy peers celebrate their resultsALL SMILES: Etienne Jones (third from left) and her Maltings Academy peers celebrate their results (Image: N/A)

Charlotte said: “She is really pleased with her results. After everything that has happened these last few years, it is nice to see she has come out of it all in a good position.

“It has been a worrying time because of Covid-19. We have been so proud of her and her attitude and the way she has applied herself during lockdown and revision.

“The teachers have really stood out and helped and inspired her.”

Executive headteacher Michelle Hughes added: “We are extremely proud of our students and congratulate them on their results.

“These results reflect the hard work and dedication of our young people and the incredible support they have received from the Maltings team.

“We know this is the first step towards their future success and we wish them luck as they embark on their next chapter.”

Meanwhile, similar success was felt at the town’s New Rickstones Academy, who praised their students as “fantastic role models”.

The cohort of students was praised by leaders for their attendance and attitude, high levels of attainment and hard work.

Braintree and Witham Times: New Rickstones students celebrate their GCSEsNew Rickstones students celebrate their GCSEs (Image: N/A)

Principal Simon Gibbs said: “The students from our class of 2023 cohort have shown true character and achieved some fantastic results.

“The whole staff at New Rickstones are filled with pride that students’ hard work and resilience have paid off.

“I would like to thank the students for being such fantastic role models in terms of their attendance and attitude. Their high levels of attainment are a combination of students working hard and excellent teaching.

“The whole of New Rickstones Academy wishes every single one of them the very best in their future.”