HARD work and determination was the key for high-achieving Wyre Forest GCSE students.

A national drop in A* and A passes for Year 11 school leavers failed to materialise in many schools across Wyre Forest.

Pupils who outscored their expected grades said it was down to hard work and support from school teaching staff.

Bewdley School and Sixth Form Centre pupil Kate Stevens was predicted to get mostly Cs and even some Ds but managed to pick up an A*, an A, four Bs and a C.

She also suffers from dyspraxia, meaning she does not always interpret information correctly.

“I cried when I found out my results,” she said. “I could not believe it. It is down to determination, a lot of support and hard work.

“The school and subject teachers were brilliant and supported me and gave me guidance.”

Jack Beadsworth, a Baxter College student who gained seven As and five A*s, said: “I was not expecting to do this well, it was far better than I thought it would be.

“The teachers really push you to the best of your ability.”

He will stay on at the school’s sixth form college to study A-levels in English literature, history, economics, and government and politics.

Stourport High School and VIth Form Centre pupils Ella Rose and Amy Williams also praised their teachers and said they had spent months revising.

Amy, who achieved three A*s, five As and three Bs, said: “I thought I was going to do worse so I am really happy.

“It was down to a lot of revision and working hard and spending months doing it.

“The exams were OK but English and Spanish were definitely the hardest.”

Ella, who gained four A*s, five As and two Bs, added: “It was hard work and determination.”

Both pupils will study A-levels from September.