Year 11 students across Gloucestershire and the UK received their GCSE results this morning (August 24).

The number students awarded top grades has almost returned to pre-pandemic levels, with efforts have been made in England to reduce the higher grades from the pandemic, as reported by Sky.

The government's school league tables are based on the percentage of pupils who achieve a 5 or above in English and maths GCSEs.

Many sixth forms insist on a minimum number of 5s or 6s as a condition of entry for further study.

Here in Gloucestershire, students at Cleeve School in Cheltenham are celebrating success in their GCSE results. The school's 2023 results show excellent results, both in attainment and likely value added - based on the students' starting points from when they first arrived at Cleeve.

This year's results show:

• 77% of all entries were awarded 4-9 (A*-C) grades - up from 73% in 2019

• 24% of all entries were awarded 9-7 (A*-A) grades - up from 20% in 2019

Progress in English and maths has shown a strong increase - with 74% of students gaining a grade 4 (standard pass) or above in both English and maths and over 50% gaining a grade 5 (strong pass) or above.

The school is especially pleased that the performance of students with special educational needs and those with other barriers to learning is extremely strong.

Ben Slatter, head of school, KS4/5, said: "We are absolutely delighted with the results achieved by our year 11 students. The students have shown great resilience, but also fully bought into our support mechanisms around the preparation for their exams.

"Now we look forward to welcoming students into our Sixth Form Centre of Excellence to continue their learning journey at Cleeve. I would also like to give huge credit to both our staff here at Cleeve and the parents and guardians who have supported these young people over the course of their GCSEs to tackle an ever-changing landscape."

At St Edward's School in Cheltenham, 11% of grades were grade 9, 27% were 9-8, 45% were 9-7 and 67% were 9-6.

The students' hard work, dedication and focus were rewarded with results which will enable them to continue their education in their first choice sixth form, with the vast majority remaining at St Edward's.

Matthew Burke, headmaster, said: "We remain committed to maintaining our unique status as an independent school that is not academically selective and are proud each and every year of the value we add to each of our students, and these results are no exception.

"There is also no easy route to these results, and they reflect not only the attainment of our students, but also the expertise and guidance of the fantastic staff team we have at St Ed's, who go above and beyond for all members of our community."

St Edward's still has a small number of spaces available for sixth form, and anyone thinking about studying for A-levels at the school should get in touch.