Students at Beccles and Bungay schools have been celebrating their GCSE result

Teenagers at Bungay High School leapt for joy with beaming smiles as they collected their results last Thursday.

Archie Shiplee, 16, who lives in Halesworth, "couldn't believe" his grades as he achieved mostly 6s when he was predicted to fail most.

Beccles & Bungay Journal: Archie Shiplee (centre) was delighted to have exceeded expectations and was 'buzzing' with his resultsArchie Shiplee (centre) was delighted to have exceeded expectations and was 'buzzing' with his results (Image: Submitted)

He said: “I’ve smashed it, never felt such excitement and happiness in my life. 

"I’ve absolutely shocked myself, and I have also most definitely shocked my teachers too, I think they would even admit that. 

“I thought I’d get 4s at best, if I was lucky, and I’ve got straight 5s and 6s in all subjects, just absolutely buzzing.”

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Beccles & Bungay Journal: Smiling students collect their results at Bungay High SchoolSmiling students collect their results at Bungay High School (Image: Submitted)

Hannah Payne, of Westhall, 16, is looking forward to studying her A-levels at East Norfolk Sixth Form College after getting some of the best grades in the school.

She said: “I am absolutely thrilled with grades, but a bit annoyed with chemistry because I got an 8, striving for a 9, and today found out I was one mark away. 

“My hard work throughout the year did pay off.

"Now I’m just looking forward to starting college at East Norfolk where I will be studying Chemistry, Psychology and Law. 

“All of my teachers were a great help all year, but I owe a big shout-out to Mr Bailey and Miss Rose, so thank you everyone."

Beccles & Bungay Journal: Best friends Eloise (left) and Evie (right) were delighted with their results and looking forward to starting collegeBest friends Eloise (left) and Evie (right) were delighted with their results and looking forward to starting college (Image: Bruno Brown)

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The school's headteacher, Chanel Oswick, said: "We are incredibly proud of the achievements of all our students and pleased that they are now able to go on to the next destination of their choice.

"None of this would have been possible without the incredible support from the parents, staff and governors at Bungay High School and this collaboration ensures our students have the ongoing support around them to flourish.

Beccles & Bungay Journal: East Anglian Schools TrustEast Anglian Schools Trust (Image: East Anglian Schools Trust)

"The students this year have shown they have the resilience, grit and determination to succeed through some challenging times and we are delighted that our excellent curriculum and extra-curricular activities have allowed them to enjoy their time at Bungay High.

"We wish them well with their future endeavours, they thoroughly deserve every success."

Beccles & Bungay Journal: Some students have said their final farewells to Bungay after collecting their results Some students have said their final farewells to Bungay after collecting their results (Image: Submitted)

There were similar scenes at Sir John Leman High School in Beccles.

Headteacher Ruth Gurney said "We are absolutely delighted with the GCSE results this year.

This cohort are the first to sit exams with the rigour that we saw pre-Covid in 2019.

During the lead up to the exams we saw the great effort they put into revision and their positive approach to the examinations, and this paid off in setting a new school record for students achieving 4+ in English and Maths.

We are incredibly proud of them and are thrilled that so many are joining us to continue their studies at Sixth Form. 

Whilst there are many individual successes and some students achieving outstanding results in some extremely challenging personal situations, particular recognition goes to Marissa Hammond and Suki Porter who achieved seven level 9 grades and Lewis English and Charlotte Stohr who both achieved six level 9 grades."