THEY have been praised for pushing themselves to their utmost ability and 119 students at Harper Green have every reason to celebrate -- gaining GCSE's a year early.

Staff are proud of the Year 10 pupils who have at least one GCSE under their belt before they even start the second year of their exam course.

The 119 students piled through the door on results day, standing shoulder to shoulder alongside their older school friends to see the array of glowing results. Nine pupils gained at least five passes at A to C grades.

Headteacher Peter Jefferies said: "I cannot speak too highly of these young people. They have risen to the challenge of pushing themselves to the limit of their ability and they thoroughly deserve their outstanding results."

Year 11 pupil Priya Shah said: "The crucial thing is to get the balance right between working hard and having time to relax and have fun."

One proud parent said: " I can't believe that my son already has three A grades and he's only 15!"

Responded

The school has responded to national headlines raising fears that standards in schools are falling.

Mr Jeffries said: "Our hard-working and talented young people are demonstrating that at Harper Green at least, standards are rising fast!

"These youngsters consider themselves very lucky to have already clocked up exam successes which will take them well on their way to gaining college places and a bright future for themselves."

THEY have been praised for pushing themselves to their utmost ability and 119 students at Harper Green have every reason to celebrate -- gaining GCSE's a year early.

Staff are proud of the Year 10 pupils who have at least one GCSE under their belt before they even start the second year of their exam course.

The 119 students piled through the door on results day, standing shoulder to shoulder alongside their older school friends to see the array of glowing results. Nine pupils gained at least five passes at A to C grades.

Headteacher Peter Jefferies said: "I cannot speak too highly of these young people. They have risen to the challenge of pushing themselves to the limit of their ability and they thoroughly deserve their outstanding results."

Pupil Priya Shah said: "The crucial thing is to get the balance right between working hard and having time to relax and have fun."

One proud parent said: " I can't believe that my son already has three A grades and he's only 15!"

Responded

The school has responded to national headlines raising fears that standards in schools are falling.

Mr Jeffries said: "Our hard-working and talented young people are demonstrating that at Harper Green at least, standards are rising fast!

"These youngsters consider themselves very lucky to have already clocked up exam successes which will take them well on their way to gaining college places and a bright future for themselves."