STUDENTS across Oxfordshire were all smiles last night after scoring the best GCSE results in the county’s history.

The percentage of pupils who gained five A* to C grades including English and maths – considered the most important statistic – rose from 52.9 last year to 59 per cent.

Among these figures, John Mason School, in Abingdon, was the county’s most improved school, recording a 17 percentage point rise to 65.

Oxfordshire’s worst performing centre was Oxford School – which the county council wants to replace with an academy – where 31 per cent of pupils achieved five grades A* to C, including maths and English – a four percentage point drop.

However, Bicester Community College and Wheatley Park School recorded their best ever results.

Last night Michael Waine, Oxfordshire County Council’s cabinet member for schools, praised the hard work of pupils and staff.

He said: “My congratulations go to the students who have collectively achieved the best ever results in Oxfordshire.

“They deserve enormous credit as their results today demonstrate the hard work and effort they have put in over the past two years.

“Schools, county council staff and local partners have been working extremely hard to improve the grades for students taking GCSE examinations across the county.

“Parents too, play a huge part in supporting their children to do the best they can.”

Ten schools reported more than two thirds of their students secured at least five or more passes at GCSE, including English and maths.

These were John Mason, Chipping Norton, Chiltern Edge, Lord Williams’s, Bartholomew, Faringdon Community College, The Cherwell School, Blessed George Napier Catholic, Matthew Arnold and Gillotts.

King Alfred’s College, in Wantage, has seen a 20 percentage point rise rise over the past two years in students getting five or more A* to C grades at GCSE, including English and maths.

At Cheney School, Oxford, 81 per cent hit that target – up 18 percentage points.

Mr Waine added: “Our young people face increasingly tougher competition for courses and jobs, so it is important that everybody is working together to support them.”

Exceptional individual performances were seen at Bartholomew, Burford, Chipping Norton and Marlborough schools, where 28, 19, 15 and 18 students respectively gained eight or more GCSEs at A* or A grades.

At Didcot Girls’ School 20 students scored 10 or more GCSEs at A* or A grades.

The council urged pupils who missed out on their expected grades not to panic.

Meera Spillett, director for Children, Young People and Families, said: “There are lots of opportunities open to young people and there is plenty of help from Oxfordshire County Council.

“I’d encourage young people to speak to as many people as they can whether it’s your parents, teachers or relatives and get a wide range of advice.”