WITHAM schools are celebrating their best ever GCSE results this year. 

Pupils from Maltings Academy and New Rickstones Academy can look forward to a bright future after their outstanding results on Thursday. 

In the new national basics measure of English and maths, Maltings Academy scored 67 percent with 81 per cent of students achieving A* to C grades in English and 69 per cent in maths. 

This is an increase of three per cent and six per cent respectively.

Head of academy Emma Baker said: "We are very pleased with this year’s results which are the best we have had.

"I am so proud of what the students have accomplished. It’s testament to their hard work and dedication.

"I’d like to congratulate each of our students for these well-deserved results which will open doors to their next steps and are a result of all their hard work. 

"There have been some notable individual successes and I’d like to take this opportunity to thank all our staff for their dedication and commitment to our students’ success."

New Rickstones achieved 54 per cent in the new measure with 66 per cent of students gaining A* to C grades in English and 62 per cent in maths. 

Head of academy Damian Lee, who took up his role just one year ago, said: "I would like to congratulate the Year 11 students on some very good GCSE results. 

"They have been a fantastic year group to work with and I wish them well in the future. I would also like to thank our staff who have worked tirelessly to improve the outcomes for all students."

For all the latest GCSE results follow our live blog here