Pupils in and around Watford were all smiles as they were pictured opening their GCSE results after two years of studying.

The current cohort of Year 11 students are now set to move onto apprenticeships or further study after much of the early part of their secondary education was marked by the pandemic.

Overall, figures show the proportion of top marks awarded nationally between grades seven to nine (A-A*) has fallen to 21.8 per cent from 22.0 per cent in 2023, although it remained above the 20.8 per cent in 2019.

Pupils celebrating at St Clement Danes School in Chorleywood.Pupils celebrating at St Clement Danes School in Chorleywood. (Image: St Clement Danes) The majority of students at St Michael's Catholic High School in Garston achieved grades five to nine (B-A*), which headteacher Edward Conway called a “remarkable achievement” given the early disruption to their time at the school.

“These results show the commitment of our students towards their studies in difficult circumstances,” Mr Conway added. “They have all been amazing and deserve their success. 

“We are very proud of them and wish them happiness and success in their futures with the majority remaining in our excellent Sixth Form or going to college.”

St Michael's pupils Eva and Tristan.St Michael's pupils Eva and Tristan. (Image: St Michael's Catholic High School) St Michael’s student Eva thanked her teachers for their help, adding: "I am over the moon with my results, especially English which I excelled in.”

Nearby Parmiter’s School also said students had demonstrated their “hard work and commitment” after they achieved the top grade nine in 22 per cent of subjects, while Stanborough Secondary School was also “delighted” with its 90 per cent exam pass rate.

In Three Rivers, multiple schools congratulated their students on their “brilliant” results, including the Royal Masonic School which saw 54 per cent of grades awarded between seven to nine (A-A*).

Pupils open their results at the Royal Masonic School.Pupils open their results at the Royal Masonic School. (Image: Royal Masonic School) St Clement Danes School in Chorleywood praised students’ “exceptional” grades with 46 per cent awarded seven to nine, while Ricksmanworth School headteacher Matt Fletcher said he was "incredibly proud" after 30 per cent of students achieved five grades between seven to nine.

The school also highlighted pupils Erin Turpin, Olivia Rickards and Jasmine Man, who will continue to its sixth form after they bagged the highest grade in all nine of their subjects.

Erin Turpin, Olivia Rickards and Jasmine Man all achieve grade nine (A*) in all nine subjects at Rickmansworth School.Erin Turpin, Olivia Rickards and Jasmine Man all achieve grade nine (A*) in all nine subjects at Rickmansworth School. (Image: Rickmansworth School) There were also strong sets of results elsewhere in Bushey as St Margaret’s School said it “could not be prouder” after 43 per cent of grades were in the top three bands. 

The Grange Academy pupil Manna Handa the top grade 9 for six subjects and grade eight in his other five.The Grange Academy pupil Manna Handa the top grade 9 for six subjects and grade eight in his other five. (Image: The Grange Academy) The Grange Academy headteacher Danny Bryant also paid tribute to students’ resilience, adding performance in English and maths had risen five per cent compared to 2023.

He said: "We have worked tirelessly to support them, and we are thrilled to see so many of our students able to go on to their desired destinations within education, with many staying with us at The Grange Academy Sixth Form for 2024-25."

Watford MP Matt Turmaine congratulated those receiving results today online, while PM Sir Keir Starmer also told GCSE pupils they had done “an incredible job”.