EARLY indications suggest County Durham’s GCSE pupils surpassed achievements from last year in all recognised performance measures.

Most notably, 62 per cent of pupils achieved grades A* to C in both maths and English, a five per cent increase on last year, which comes despite a national decline this summer.

Durham County Councillor Ossie Johnson, portfolio holder for children and young people’s services, said: “This is a very pleasing achievement against a continuing backdrop of significant changes in the examination system.

“We are confident that our improved rates of progress in both English and maths will place County Durham in a very strong position nationally.”

There were plenty of teenagers and teachers celebrating after bucking the national trend by gaining the very top results.

At Durham Johnston a third of grades were As or A*s and 77 per cent of students got good passes in English and maths, while 31 gained at least ten A*s or A grades.

Among them was Ellie Bartlett, from Durham, who got 12 A*s.

She said: “I had 26 exams in six weeks so it was really hard. I’m really, really happy with this.”

At Park View School, in Chester-le-Street, more than 75 per cent of pupils got a C or better in English, English Literature and Maths while more than 40 per cent achieved the English Baccalaureate.

Rebecca Hopper and Katie Davis were the star pupils at Framwellgate School Durham, with 13 A*s each.

Overall, 70 per cent of pupils at the school got five A* to C grades, while the number getting ten or more As and A*s doubled.

Head teacher Alisdair Nicholas said: “I am continually impressed at how Fram students rise to the ever increasing challenges of examinations.”

Consett Academy says it is expecting to be above the national average, with more than 86 per cent of pupils achieving their expected progress in English and half of students exceeding the mark.

Despite a busy year at Wolsingham School, in Weardale, during which it got a new head teacher and opened a new building, academic outcomes remained strong.

The school’s top performer was Sara Graham, from Frosterley, with ten A* grades.

Head teacher Lee Elliott said: “Despite the busy year our focus has remained steadfast on achieving the best outcomes for our students.”

Linda Davies, headteacher at Parkside Academy, in Willington, was thrilled with record breaking results which saw 70 per cent of pupils get five or more GCSEs at grades A* to C, including maths and English.

She said: "Our pupils have worked so hard and have engaged really well with the opportunities we have provided for them.

“The staff here are excellent and we have great support from parents.”

Top performer was Amy Craig, 16, with nine A* and three A grades, who said: “I am so happy I can barely breathe.”

At Teesdale School, in Barnard Castle, 80 per cent of pupils achieved grade A* to C in English while 77 per cent did so in maths. Top of the class was Fiona Todd with ten A grades, eight at A*.

Barnard Castle School had its best results since 2013, within the 99.4 per cent pass rate nearly half of all grades were A* or A.