TEARS of joy were in evidence at schools throughout the county as students closed one chapter of their lives and opened another after GCSE results were released last week. The figures reveal that state schools in Surrey are among the best in the country.

The proportion of those achieving A* to C grades has risen from 68.8 per cent in 2014 to 69 per cent.

However the number of A* grades alone, and the number of A* to A grades has continued to drop for the fourth consecutive year.

This year’s results have put Surrey in the limelight after a high volume of students from state schools throughout the county achieved five or more GCSEs at grades A* to C. For the 151 education authorities throughout England, these results have placed Surrey in the top 10 per cent at number 14 out of the 151.

Following the release of results, Linda Kemeny, Surrey County Council’s Cabinet member for schools, skills and sducational achievement said:

“Congratulations to pupils on their excellent results – I’m delighted their commitment and hard work has been rewarded. I would like to thank teachers, parents and carers for all the support they provided.

“State schools in Surrey are among the best in the country and I’m confident they will continue to encourage pupils to fulfil their potential.

“For our part, we’ll keep doing all we can to ensure every child gets the best possible start in life amid growing demand for school places – we need to create 13,000 more places in the next five years but face a funding shortfall of more than £30million in each of the next two years alone.”