LEADING independent girls' school Heathfield in Ascot is enjoying record numbers of A*-A GCSE grades this morning.

Nearly half the exams taken at the venue were awarded the top A*-A grades (47 per cent) while one in three candidates achieved three or more A* grades each in their string of GCSEs.

The stellar results come just a week after a record number of top A level grades were awarded to Year 13s.

Four girls achieved an outstanding tally of A*-A grades between them at GCSE including incoming head girl Agatha who was awarded eight A* grades and two As, Gabi - four A* grades and six As and Emma - two A* grades and eight As.

Twins Eva and Sophie, 16, scored 19 GCSEs between them including six A* grades and 9 As.

Over four fifths of the exams taken in total at Heathfield were awarded A*-B grades (83 per cent). Two thirds of candidates at the school achieved at least four A*-A grades each and all girls recorded at least five A*-C passes each.

Meanwhile, exemplary subject performances came in the sciences and maths: 100 per cent A*-B in biology and 100 per cent A*-C in chemistry, physics and maths and in science core and additional science.

In modern foreign languages, three quarters of candidates achieved an outstanding A*-A grade in French, 100 per cent A* in Russian and nine in ten A*-B in Spanish.

Other stellar performances came in history – 100 per cent A*-B; religious studies – 76 per cent A*-A grades; geography 94% A*-B; music – 100% A and English language 74 per cent A*-B and English literature 100 per cent A*-C and business studies 100% A*-C.

Director of studies Marina Gardiner Legge, who becomes head of Heathfield School next month, said: "At Heathfield, we have been driving forward the girls’ academic performance as a priority.

"These results demonstrate just how successful that drive is and, of course, are testament to the dedication of our talented team of staff and the hard work of our students."