MORE THAN two-thirds of students in Wiltshire gained a grade 4 or above in both English and maths GCSEs in 2018, higher than the national average.

The results are the first time most subjects have been graded in numbers from 1, the lowest grade, to 9, the highest grade.

There are more grades than the previous A*- G with the top grade 9 being higher than the previous A*.

There is no single equivalent of a Grade C, grade 4 is considered a "standard pass" and grade 5 a "strong pass".

Nearly half of the students in Wiltshire gained a grade 5 in both English and maths which is also higher than the national figure.

Figures show pupils making great progress in their time in secondary school and attaining good grades in at least eight of the core GCSEs including English and maths.

South Wilts Grammar School for Girls finished second out of all 60 schools and colleges in Wiltshire for "Overall performance at end of key stage 4 in 2018", with an above average "Progress 8 score" of 0.48.

Bishop Wordsworth's Grammar School also performed above average, and second overall in Salisbury, with a score of 0.41.

Schools in Salisbury which recorded an Average performance include St Joseph's, St Edmund's, Wyvern College, Sarum Academy and The Trafalgar School in Downton.

Schools below average included The Stonehenge School, Avon Valley College, and South Wiltshire UTC.

Wiltshire students have also maintained good results in their A level exams.

Especially good is the proportion of students gaining the top results of at least AAB including at least two ‘facilitating subjects’.

These subjects include maths, English, sciences and languages which help students compete for top university places.

Laura Mayes, Wiltshire Council cabinet member for children’s services said: “Congratulations to our hard working students and our schools, which provide challenge and support to help each pupil achieve their potential.

“League tables are only one part of the story.

"I also want to recognise the work that happens day in day out at each of our schools to support these young people and ensure they are well prepared for their future choices and the next stage of their lives.”

Terence Herbert Wiltshire Council corporate director for children and education said: “These are encouraging results and show once again that Wiltshire schools provide young people with excellent learning opportunities that will stand them in good stead for future life choices.

"We are proud of this good track record but we’re never complacent and we will continue to support our schools as they bring out the best in all their pupils.”

For a full list of the performance of the school's in Wiltshire, click here.