IT WAS a record-breaking year at Bitterne Park Secondary school with more than 70 per cent of pupils achieving five A* to C grades or more.

The school beat its performance 12 months ago by six percent and will see a large number of students going on to further education.

The girls took the bragging rights in this years battle of the sexes with six girls being awarded 11 A* grades. Other special achievers included Guy Elvin who gained 13 GCSE's after having combined his studies with a modern apprentice course with Millbrook company Feta.

Around 80 to 85 per cent of students from the school are expected to move to college or areas of higher education. Head Teacher Susan Trigger believes that performance at GCSE level is becoming increasingly important when students finish their A-Levels.

"Universities are increasingly looking at GCSE results as well, before offering places, so its really important that we get the kids the better grades at sixteen, because in two years time they might need them then as well."

She added: "We've had an absolutely fantastic year and obviously getting through the 70 per cent barrier is a huge success for the school, so we're over the moon."