At Felsted School, nearly half of those taking their GCSEs this year, 46 per cent, achieved A* or A grades, 73 per cent achieved A* to B and 91 per cent A* to C.

There were 96 per cent who achieved five A* to C including English and maths. Of those taking design technology, English language and literature, music, religious studies, theatre studies, and Greek, 90 per cent achieved A* to B.

Among the stand out performers were Imogen Gander from Great Notley and Bethan Hudson-Lund who each gained 11 A*s plus an A grade in additional maths.

Scarlett Coote, from High Easter, achieved 10 A*s. Samuel Barratt, a weekly boarder from Manuden, gained eight A* and three As, He will be studying maths, further maths, physics and chemistry A-Levels with a view to pursuing a career in engineering

Bella Westlake, a boarder from Chelmsford, gained four A*s and five A grades. Currently on tour in Italy with Maldon Choir, Bella has gained a place at Wells Cathedral on a specialist music programme. She will be taking A Levels in music, philosophy, history with alongside a pre-professional music course, with a focus on voice. Bella’s aim is to become an opera singer.

Headmaster, Chris Townsend said: “It is fantastic to see such strong results, with 10 pupils achieving a clean sweep of A* and A grades, and nearly half of all GCSE exams being graded at A or A*.

“Every single pupil passed both English language and literature, while maths achieved 98 per cent A*-C, to build on some stunning results from the accelerated group who took their GCSEs earlier in the year.

While some schools are under pressure to move away from the creative subjects, it is particularly good to see music, design technology and theatre studies doing so well. I am very grateful to the hard work of all the teaching staff at Felsted, the support of the parents, and most importantly the commitment of the pupils themselves in achieving these impressive results.”