Wayland Academy in Watton has achieved 'significant improvements' in its GCSE results for the third time in four years.

A total of 80pc of students recorded five or more A*-C grades in all subjects - 51pc got five or more A*-Cs including maths and English.

Headteacher Michael Rose said: 'I am proud of all the students and their achievements and I want to express my thanks to all my staff who worked so hard with them and the families themselves for their much valued support. This is a great start to our new era as Wayland Academy, working in partnership we can sustain improvements and become more ambitious in the years ahead.'

Mr Rose added: 'Increases are also evident in the number of students gaining a C grade or above in English and Maths and the numbers reaching or beating expected progress levels.'

The top performer at Wayland Academy was Lauren Symons, of Watton, who achieved the highest amount of points with eight As and two Bs.

She will go on to study A-levels in graphics, psychology, geography and health and social care at Dereham Sixth Form Centre.

Paul McCann, assistant headteacher, said: 'Lauren is a delightful young woman who will achieve anything she wants to achieve. She will go a long way in life.'

Alastair Codling, of Thompson, got five As and three Bs and two Cs, which was above and beyond what he was predicted.

He said: 'I was most surprised by my A in geography because it was tough. My best moment at Wayland Academy was opening my results.'

Mr McCann said he was proud of the teenager who knuckled down and worked hard.

Alastair will go on to Dereham Sixth Form Centre and study A-levels in history, geography, human biology and PE.

A budding marine biologist who did 'rip-roaringly well' praised the school's sense of community.

Head boy Chris Babey, 16, of Ovington, beat several of his targets and achieved four As, five Bs and one C.

He said: 'I think I have achieved a great deal. Wayland Academy has helped me mature and progress. I have met lots of mates who I never would have known and have influenced me.

'I was quite surprised with my geography because I didn't think I did too well in the exam, but my coursework was good. I was shocked with my design technology mark. I put in a lot of work to get from a C to a B, but got an A.

'The school has helped me a lot and has given me a lot of support. If I was struggling someone would help me. The sense of community is good.'

Chris said without Wayland Academy he would not have the confidence to be a weekly boarder at Wymondham College for his A-levels.

He will be studying maths, chemistry, physics and biology and wants to go on to university and study marine biology.

Mr McCann said: 'Chris has done rip-roaringly well. Knowing the young man I have every confidence in his ability to achieve any goal he sets himself.'

KEY TO FIGURES:

*The first figure is the percentage of

students who gained five or more A*-C

GCSEs, including English and maths,

with previous years in brackets

*The second figure is the percentage

of students who gained five or more

A*-C GCSEs in any subjects, with

previous years in brackets.

*The third figure is the percentage of students

achieving the English Baccalaureate – A* - C in

English, maths, double science, history or geography,

and a modern foreign language.

WAYLAND ACADEMY, WATTON

51pc (45) (46) (42) (37) (44) (45)

80c (74) (84) (65) (45) (45) (50)

not available