PUPILS and schools in Greenwich are celebrating after a record number of pupils achieved top marks in their GCSE examinations.

The number of pupils in Greenwich achieving five A* to C GCSE grades has jumped by 10.3 per cent from 47.2 per cent in 2007 to 57.5 per cent this year.

Students and staff at Blackheath High School, in Vanbrugh Park, Blackheath, were "delighted" after 99 per cent achieved A* to C grades and 100 per cent of pupils achieved A to G grades.

Headteacher Lisa Laws said: "We are delighted with these exceptional results. GCSE exams are not getting easier. They are different to those of 30 years ago, but they are still just as challenging.

"In some subjects, the amount of knowledge that candidates are expected to has has been reduced, but the importance attached to understanding and the ability to apply knowledge have increased."

Pupil Lois Edmett, 16, of Lee Terrace, Blackheath, achieved outstanding results with 12 A*s and one A and puts her success down to hard work.

She said: "I found the exams a real challenge. I am so pleased with my results, but I worked very hard to achieve them.

Crown Woods School, in Riefield Road, Eltham, had cause to celebrate after 57 per cent of its pupils achieved A* to C grades and 92.4 per cent achieved grades A* to G.

Headteacher Michael Murphy was delighted at the results and 16-year-old Priska Komoromi, of Kingsdale Road, Plumstead, was happy at achieving seven A* grades and five A grades.

Former school of murdered teenager Jimmy Mizen, St. Thomas More School, in Footscray Road, Eltham, had 85 per cent of pupils gaining five or more GCSEs at grade A* to C.

And 97.4 per cent of pupils at the school achieved grades A* to G.

Eltham Hill School, in Eltham Hill, Eltham, had 60 per cent of its pupils achieving A* to C grades and 99 per cent achieving grades A* to G.

Plumstead Manor, in Old Mill Road, Plumstead, also did well with 66 per cent of pupils achieving A* to C grades and 93 per cent achieving grades A* to G.

Greenwich Council cabinet member for children and young people Councillor Jackie Smith said: "Congratulations to our hard working pupils and everyone involved in these brilliant set of results."