DESPITE the national GCSE pass rate falling for the first time in its history, Mount Grace School bucked the trend, recording another year of good results.

Nationally a row has started over the introduction of tougher exam standards as teachers complain grade boundaries have been hiked too dramatically in subjects such as English, maths and science, something headteacher Peter Baker acknowledged, but was pleased it didn’t affect his school as much as could have been feared.

He told the Potters Bar Edition: “The GCSE results at Mount Grace School were released this morning (Thursday) with 71 per cent of students gaining the coveted five A* to C, of which 50 per cent also included English and maths.”

Mr Baker paid special mention to Benjamin Bloomfield, Rhona Bunce, Abigail Coomes, Jamie Kelly, Hollie Smith, Louis Trupia and Amy Yoseph, who achieved some of the best grades for their school year.

Also among the high achievers singled out by the headteacher were step-sisters Ellie and Gaby Bissett.

The pair used to be friends at primary school before becoming related at secondary school and would have enjoyed some successful sibling rivalry, both achieving A* and A grades.

Proud of his high achieving students, Mr Baker added: “Their hard work and dedication is self-evident.

“I wish them all well for their sixth form studies.”