FOR a number of years Thornden School has been top of the county pops when it comes to GCSE exam results for non-selective entry schools.

And another crop of stunning successes from the Class of '99 looks set to preserve the Chandler's Ford com-prehensive's fine track record of being among Hampshire's leading contenders.

Provisional figures showed a 74 per cent pass rate of five or more subjects in the magic A to C grades.

Head teacher Dr Robert Sykes said the percentage was slightly down on last year's record figure but pointed to a new record of 17 pupils achieving straight A and As in every subject they took.

He said: "Overall, the results look good. "I would like to praise the pupils and the staff for all their hard work because GCSEs are a two-year exam. There is coursework which involves deadlines and a variety of work besides learning for exams.

"The other thing that is important is that every child takes a wide range of subjects. They don't specialise.

"These results obviously keep our standard going and the pupils have done very well."

Eastleigh's Crestwood School chalked up an increase of three per cent in the pass rate of five or more subjects at A to C grades taking its figure to 49 per cent this year.

Deputy head David Andrews said: "We are very pleased with the results and particularly delighted to see more able students perform very well this year."

At Alderman Quilley School, Eastleigh, the pass rate of five or more subjects A to C grades was 31 per cent - one per cent up on the three-year average.

Head teacher Ken Button said: "I think that the parents and pupils will be pleased with the results. Some of our youngsters go into employment at 16 and have achieved the grades they wanted. "The same goes for those going on to further education."

The Wyvern School at Fair Oak was celebrating a 57 per cent pass rate of five subjects or more at A to C grades - eight per cent up on last year's figures.

Head teacher Sheila Campbell said: "Pupils and staff have worked really hard."

The Toynbee School at Chandler's Ford recorded a 61.5 per cent A to C grade success.

A spokesman said: "We have again maintained, if not slightly improved, on our recent series of annual results."

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