ALCESTER High School students have surpassed expectations this year.

The school almost matched last year's record of 62 per cent of pupils gaining five grades A* to C, but just fell short this year with 60 per cent.

Exams officer, Mike Edwards said: "We've maintained the level of last year which is very good as last year was the highest we had achieved.

"I put this down to very hard work by staff and pupils." Edmund Willats, claimed top spot with nine A*s and one A.

Mr Edwards added: "Pupils have done very well and beat many expectations we had."