Criticism that the exams are becoming too easy would have meant little to the young people who achieved excellent results.
Tideway School, Newhaven, celebrated its best ever results.

More than 50 per cent of students gained five or more GCSEs at grade C or above.

This is a significant target as Tideway had been identified by the government as a school in need of improvement and was given a 30 per cent target by the government.

Adrian Money, headteacher, said: 'We are delighted with these results which are the outcome of the hard work of our students and the commitment and dedication of our staff.

'This is the beginning of a fantastic year for the school which will be moving into its new building in February.'

Hailsham Community College achieved its best ever results with a total of 67 per cent of students achieving five or more A* to C grades.

This was an 11 per cent improvement on the previous year.
Pass rates for five or more A* to C grades, including England and Maths, also improved by six per cent.

Lesley Farmer, principal, said: 'We are really delighted that the efforts of all our Year 11s and their teachers have been so justly rewarded.'

Students at Seaford Head Community College were also celebrating the best GCSE results achieved by the college.

Sixty-seven per cent of students achieved five or more A* to C grades and 99.5 per cent of students achieved at least one GCSE.

This was a nine per cent improvement on last year.

The number achieving five or more A* to C grades including English and Maths was 51.2 per cent, which was also an improvement on last year's 48 per cent.

Lynton Golds, principal, said: 'These results are outstanding and a testimony to the commitment and hard work of our students and are evidence of the high quality of teaching at Seaford Head.'

At Ringmer Community College 99 per cent of students received at least one A to C grade, 57 per cent gained five and 48 per cent gained five including English and Maths.

Kathy Stonier, principal, said: 'This year group have performed well and I would like to thank the students, staff and parents who have worked hard to gain these results.'

Two thirds of students at Priory School, Lewes, achieved five or more A* to C grades and nearly half of the year group achieved eight or more at the same level.

Eleven students achieved ten or more A*/A grades and more than 95 per cent of the year group achieved at least five or more A* to G grades.
Many students also achieved success in vocational qualifications including hairdressing, caring for children and engineering.

Every child attending the school full time in Year 11 achieved at least one GCSE.

Martyn Ofield, headteacher, said: 'These results are a just reward for the hard work and commitment of students and staff and the support of parents.

'The vast majority of our students have performed very well across a broad range of subjects.

'Priory School encourages students to achieve their best, not only in exams but also in areas beyond the narrow confines of exam results, through our rich and varied extra-curricular programme.

'I believe that we provide them with an excellent preparation for life, developing vital life-skills, as well as the skills that employers are looking for in the modern workplace, such as self confidence, organisation and the ability to work effectively with others.'

Peacehaven Community School also celebrated its best results ever.

Early indicators, subject to confirmation, were that 60 per cent of year 11 students achieved five A* to C and 47 per cent achieved five A* to C including English and maths.

Some exceptional achievements were Dave Bennett with 14 A* to Cs, Liz Mitchell who has 13 A* to C including six As and one A* and Chloe Breeds with 12 A* to C including five As and an A*.

The amount of students receiving top A and A* grades at Newlands School in Seaford more than doubled since last year.

A number of departments at the independent school achieved a 100 per cent pass rate in grades A to C including art, music, photography and in dance every student achieved an A*.

In Photography 75 per cent received an A or A* grade.

Chris Bridgman, headmaster, said: 'Newlands is a non-selective school and pupils enter with a wide range of academic ability.

'I am extremely pleased with the results which reflect the hard work of students, teachers and specialist learning support staff.'

A total of 68 per cent of students at Uckfield Community Technology College achieved the benchmark of five A* to C grades, and 58 per cent gained five A* to C grades including English and Maths.

Five students achieved at the highest level, with A and A* grades in all subjects.

Geoff Evans, deputy principal, said: 'What was particularly pleasing was how well students have done in science and maths where they faced new challenges.

'Both subjects were in a new format this year, with new-style question papers and students passed these difficulties with flying colours.'
At St Bedes School 83 per cent of students gained five A* to C grades.
Maths, French, Spanish and art were particular strengths.

John Tuson, academic deputy, said: 'Many students have achieved terrific results.

'We are now assessing the added value that these results reveal – those students who have achieved way and above the expectations of them.

'We offer a very wide curriculum at St Bede's, with over 30 GCSE subject choices and this really helps the students to obtain their optimum'.

Students at St Leonards-Mayfield achieved excellent results with 66 per cent of students gaining A* or A grades.

Seven achieved ten or more A* grades and one third of the whole year group achieved ten or more A*/A grades.

Julia Dalton, headteacher, said: 'It is particularly rewarding for me after eight years of improving results to celebrate the fact that at GCSE level we have yet again raised the percentage of top grades.'