THERE was jubilation among pupils from RGS Worcester & The Alice Ottley School, as envelopes were opened with nervous hands.

In the first full year of the merger on the city centre site, RGSAO has again achieved excellent results in its GCSE examinations with 58 per cent of subject passes being at A* - A grade.

The overall pass rate (A* - C grades) was 96.4 per cent, with 99.4 per cent of candidates achieving five A* - C grades.

An astonishing fifty-three RGSAO candidates gained at least nine A* or A grades each.

As in the A-level examinations last week, the independent school achieved remarkable results in traditionally ‘tough’ subjects such as physics, chemistry, design technology, Latin and religious studies.

“These excellent GCSE scores continue the pattern set by our A Level students, and further support our status as one of the leading schools in the West Midlands - a school tradition since 1291,” said, Andy Rattue, RGSAO headteacher.

“Our GCSEs buck the national trend away from academically challenging subjects and show what can be achieved by motivated pupils, first-rate passionate teachers and supportive parents.

"The results are all the more remarkable when you consider how much these students have also achieved beyond the classroom in sport, drama, music and adventurous outdoor pursuits,” he added.

“I look forward to welcoming these successful pupils back to the school as part of our sixth form and also opening our doors to the many new faces joining us from other school around the region.”