THE waiting is over for students across East Sussex after this year’s GCSE results were announced.

Provisional results show 56.1 per cent of students across the county received five or more A* to C grades including English and mathematics – up on last year’s figure of 53.2 per cent.

Cllr Nick Bennett (pictured), East Sussex County Council’s lead member for learning and school effectiveness, said:  “National headlines are often dominated with ups and downs, and at a time of considerable changes in education, East Sussex has seen some record results that include some large gains, in St Leonard’s Academy, Ratton, Robertsbridge, Ringmer, Uckfield, Willingdon and Helenswood for instance.

“Data provided so far to the local authority shows that 10 schools have improved on last year’s outcomes. We continue to engage with all our schools and build on our successes.

Cllr Bennett added: “Behind all the statistics, there are stories of real, young people, who now have improved opportunities and access to further education or apprenticeships thanks to these results.

They, and their schools, are to be congratulated warmly on all their hard work alongside the support and encouragement from their parents and carers which has been critical to their success.”