STUDENTS across Cambridgeshire have been congratulated after another record-breaking year of GCSE results. Results from the summer 2006 exams, which have just been verified by the Department for Education and Skills (DfES), show the number of students gai

STUDENTS across Cambridgeshire have been congratulated after another record-breaking year of GCSE results.

Results from the summer 2006 exams, which have just been verified by the Department for Education and Skills (DfES), show the number of students gaining five or more GCSEs at grades A* to C has risen again.

A total of 59.9 per cent of youngsters achieved five or more passes in this category, compared with 57.9 per cent last year and 56 per cent the year before.

This compares with 56.8 per cent of students in local authority schools nationally and 59.4 per cent of students in authorities similar to Cambridgeshire.

According to Cambridgeshire County Council, another sign of progress has been the county's continued reduction in the number of students failing to get any GCSEs.

This year just two per cent of

students left school with no GCSEs (making Cambridgeshire the second bext in this area). Nationally the

figure was 3.1 per cent.

Councillor Victor Lucas, cabinet member for learning, said: "I never fail to be impressed by Cambridgeshire's continued success at GCSE and its year-on-year improvement in the pursuit of further excellence.

"There are several contributory factors - the students' hard work, the dedication of their teachers and the support and encouragement from their parents and staff at the county council.

"All deserve our warmest congratulations for another highly successful year.