A RECORD number of Swindon students have gained GSCEs this year.

This year’s intake saw particular success in two key areas – the number gaining five or more GCSEs graded A* to C including English and maths, and the number gaining five or more GCSEs graded A* to C.

The number gaining at least five GCSEs or equivalent graded A* to C including English and maths has gone up by two percentage points to 52 per cent, while those with at least five A* to C has also risen two percentage points, to 72 per cent.

A total of 2,203 Swindon students received their results on Thursday.

Performances in the key subjects of English, maths and science have also improved overall.

There was a two percentage point increase in the number of students attaining A* to C in English, taking the percentage to 66 per cent, while the number gaining A* to C in Mathematics went up by four percentage points, to 60 per cent.

Those gaining two or more GCSEs in science graded A* to C has gone up by three percentage points, to 67 per cent.

Coun David Renard, the Swindon Council cabinet member for Children Services, said: “These latest results continue the sustained improvement we’ve seen in Swindon recent years, “And it is especially pleasing that this includes, in particular, important subjects such as English, maths and science.

“GCSEs are vital in setting young people on the road to work and future success and everyone involved – staff and students – should be proud of what has been achieved.”