GCSE results 2024: St Albans and Harpenden in pictures

Here's a look back on the day's highlights.

St Albans Girls’ School

Headteacher Paul Kershaw hailed a 'superb' set of results for his school, highlighting the 174 grade 9s achieved by students.

Special mention was given to Anna and Olivia, whose grades put them at the top of their age group nationally.

Students at St Albans Girls' School are celebrating a 'superb' set of GCSE results (Image: St Albans' Girls School)

Other students receiving 8s and 9s across their GCSE's included Ellen, Pia, Adara, Ruby, Eva and Mini.

174 Grade 9 results were recorded at the school. (Image: St Albans' Girls School)

Sir John Lawes School, Harpenden

A record number of students at Sir John Lawes School will be returning to the Sixth Form next month.

Students at Sir John Lawes School were 'full of smiles and excitement' after collecting their results (Image: Sir John Lawes School) Two students had a particularly impressive set of results - with Khaled and Anushka receiving the highest grades in the country for physics and biology respectively.

Headteacher Philip Newbery said: "I am very proud of this year group. They have embodied the school ethos of achievement, care and excellence and gained exceptional results."

Verulam School, St Albans

Special mention was given to Thomas Roffe and Henry Skaanild, after they achieved an average of grade 9 across all of their 10 GCSEs.

Thomas Roffe (Image: Verulam School) Anik Rahman achieved almost four grades higher than the national average, while Taylor Silcox, Vsevolod Glukhov, Nicholas Salmon, Jack Bude, Oliver Sheen and Joshua Banfield similarly achieved two or more grades above their peer group nationally.

Anik Rahman (Image: Verulam School)

Samuel Ryder Academy, St Albans

At Samuel Ryder Academy particular praise was given to Ismael, who achieved nine grade 9s and an 8.

Also worthy of special mention are Nafisa, who got four 9s and Ewan, who got three 9s.

Opening your GCSE results is always a nerve-wracking experience! (Image: Samuel Ryder Academy) Deputy headteacher Kyle Barry said: "We are delighted that our students have surpassed the high standards set by previous cohorts and secured an excellent set of results.

"These results are a testament to their resilience, maturity, dedicated teachers and supportive parents.

"We are incredibly proud and wish everyone the best of luck in their future endeavours.”

Beaumont School, St Albans

Headteacher Martin Atkinson said: "I am delighted that our students have matched the very high standards set by previous cohorts.

"We are looking forward to starting the new term with our largest Sixth Form ever."

Beaumont School will be admitting its largest ever Sixth Form cohort next month. (Image: Beaumont School)

Marlborough Science Academy, St Albans

There were tears of joy from students and parents alike at Marlborough Science Academy as pupils opened their GCSE results.

There were plenty of smiles at Marlborough Science Academy (Image: Marlborough Science Academy) Headteacher Annie Thompson said: "I am delighted to say that our students have reaped the rewards of all their hard work over the years with some exceptional GCSE results. They are to be commended for their resilience and determination particularly when their early years were disrupted by Covid."

Katherine Warington School, Harpenden

Katherine Warington School has celebrated its first set of GCSE results after opening five years ago.

The standout pupil this year was Ben, who achieved nine grade 9s.

Ben received an astonishing 11 grade 9's in his GCSE's. (Image: Katherine Warington School) Headteacher David Martin said: "We are extremely proud of all our students' achievements and congratulate them all.

"These results are a fantastic reflection of the hard work and determination shown by our students, supported by their families and our dedicated staff.

"As a new school, achieving such impressive outcomes in our first set of GCSEs is incredibly rewarding and sets a solid foundation for future success."

Many of the students receiving their results will remain at the school and become a part of the first Sixth Form cohort in September. (Image: Katherine Warington School) Katherine Warington School will hit another milestone in September, with the opening of its Sixth Form.

Roundwood Park School, Harpenden

Staff at Roundwood Park School are delighted with this year's GCSE results.

All smiles for students at Roundwood Park School as they collect their GCSE results. (Image: Roundwood Park School) Headteacher Alan Henshall said: "This exceptional year group has performed superbly, no matter what their starting point, they have all gone on to gain results of which they should be very proud.

"As ever, my thanks go to our amazing staff, parents and carers who have supported them all the way.

Headteacher Alan Henshall described the class of 2024 as exceptional. (Image: Roundwood Park School) "Whether their next destination is Sixth Form, college or an apprenticeship, we wish them all well".

St Columba's College, St Albans

The two highest performing students were George (nine 9s and two 8s) and William (nine 9s and a 7).

Further stellar performances came from Finley (eight 9s and four 8s) and Tommy (eight 9s, an 8 and a 7).

58 per cent of all grades at the school were between a 7 and a 9 (Image: St Columba's College) Headmaster Karl Guest said: "Our students and teachers have worked meticulously and with such dedication to achieve another outstanding set of results and I am so very proud of what they have achieved.

Results day is a time for both pupils and parents to celebrate. (Image: St Columba's College) "We pride ourselves on our holistic approach to education and that this begins with academic excellence."

Townsend Church of England School, St Albans

Staff at Townsend Church of England School say they are "very proud of this year's results."

Students and staff at Townsend Church of England are celebrating a great set of GCSE results (Image: Townsend Church of England School) Some of the school's top performers include:

• Matthew (seven 9s and two 8s).
• Naarah (five 9s and five 8s).
• Ella (five 9s and three 8s).
• Samir (five 9s and three 8s).
• Hayley (three 9s and six 8s).

Headteacher Anthony Flack said: “Congratulations to our wonderful Year 11 students who should be very proud of their achievements. Thank you to all the staff for putting in so much time and effort. 

Plenty of good news at Townsend Church of England school (Image: Townsend Church of England School) "So many students achieved fantastic results which is due to their dedication and commitment to their studies. Many are continuing at Townsend Sixth Form where there is a larger selection of courses available for September 2024.” 

Sandringham School, St Albans

Students at Sandringham School achieved exceptional results across the board.

Notable results include four students getting straight 9s. They are:

• Joe Farrugia
• Selina Jimenez
• Tabitha Devlin
• Oscar Fok

Tabitha, Oscar and Joe received 9's across the board. (Image: Sandringham School) Other high performers include Hannah Gould, Azima Muratova, Nathan Posner, Eli Adams, Sophie Cray and Anson Yim.

Nathan received the highest grade in the country for media studies, while Harry Parkin has the distinction of scoring top marks in all three maths papers.

Nathan got the highest media studies grade in the country. (Image: Sandringham School)

St Albans High School for Girls

Students at STAHS have surpassed the national average with their GCSE results.

The results saw 25 students received eight or more grade 9s and 27 per cent got all 8s and 9s across the board.

Top performing student Lucy got twelve 9s.

10 pupils achieved 10 or more 9 grades. They are:

All smiles for students at STAHS (Image: St Albans High School For Girls)

• Sophia
• Zara
• Grace
• Milly
• Aneesa
• Aanya
• Mary
• Alice
• Divya
• Maya

Loreto College, St Albans

Catarina Morreira (Image: Loreto College) Two students have been singled out for particular praise - Catarina Morreira got 11 grade 9s, while Alannah Sheehan received ten 9s and an 8.

Alannah Sheehan (Image: Loreto College) Headteacher Lucy Thomson said: "Congratulations to all of our Year 11 students who achieved fantastic results in their GCSEs. We are very proud of them!"

Nicholas Breakspear School

Olivia O’Keefe received eight 9s and three 8s.

She said: "I'm overjoyed with my results, and I'm deeply grateful to the teachers and parents who helped me achieve these grades.

"I'm now excited about joining the Sixth Form, where I will be studying maths, English literature and chemistry and at A-level."

Olivia O'Keefe with her parents (Image: Nicholas Breakspear Catholic School) Joash Benjamin got nine 9's, an 8 and a 7.

Joash Benjamin with his family (Image: Nicholas Breakspear Catholic School) Katelyn Kirtley-Rice got seven 9's, three 8's and a 7.

Katelyn Kirtley-Rice (Image: Nicholas Breakspear Catholic School) Aaryan Lad received eight 9s, two 8s and a 7.

Aaryan Lad with his mum (Image: Nicholas Breakspear Catholic School) Headteacher Declan Linnane said: "We extend our heartfelt congratulations to all our students and their families. We also express our deep gratitude to our dedicated staff, whose unwavering support and guidance have been instrumental in helping our students achieve such outstanding results.”