STUDENTS across Halesowen and Sandwell will have to make vital decisions about their future after picking up their GCSE results today.

Pupils received grades from 9 to 1 (9 is the highest) in science, languages, humanities, PE and art this year after the changes were made to English and maths results last year.

Grades continue to go from strength to strength at The Earls High school, which saw 70 per cent of its students achieve grade 4 or better in English and maths, and 50 per cent of students achieving grade 5 or better in both.

Phil Loveday, headteacher, said: “GCSE is a key hurdle to overcome and with the importance of achieving well in English and maths for a student’s future progress I am particularly pleased with how well students have done in these two areas.”

Leasowes High School, which is part of Invictus Education Trust, has seen 63 per cent of its students achieve grades 9 to 4 in English and maths, with 32 per cent achieving grades 9 to 5 – significant improvements from the previous year.

Headteacher Matthew Mynott said “The results are testament to the hard work that the students have put in, supported by our dedicated staff and parents.

“I would like to congratulate each of them for their success this year.”

Nearly 10 per cent of Windsor High School students have achieved the top GCSE grade 9 this year, in an “exceptional year” for the school.

Individually, Windsor’s best performer was Callum Whitfield, who achieved seven grade 9s, one grade 8 and one A*, making him one of the top achievers nationally.

Cradley Heath’s Ormiston Forge Academy had more than 47 per cent of students achieved a grade 4 or above in both English and maths.

The school also had a seven per cent increase in the number of students achieving a grade 5 or above in both English and maths.

Dr Lisa Mason, head of academy, said: “We are delighted that students at Ormiston Forge continue to make strong progress and I'm pleased and incredibly proud of all our students, who have worked so hard to get the grades they need and deserve.”

Pupils at Oldbury’s Bristnall Hall Academy are celebrating making significant progress in both English and maths, with several pupils achieving the top grade 9 and 8 passes.

Vince Green, principal, said: “This is another excellent set of results from an outstanding set of young people and sustains the year on year rapid improvement and high performance at our academy.”

The headteacher at St Michael’s CofE High School in Rowley Regis took great pleasure in congratulating her students on their brilliant GCSE results

Jayne Gray said: “This year, the students have surpassed expectations, with many achieving results in the top 2.5 per cent of the country.”

Oldbury Academy saw “considerable increases” on 2017 performances, with 63 per cent of students achieve a good pass in English, 64 per cent achieve a good pass in maths and 57 per cent achieve a good pass in science.

Headteacher Philip Shackleton said: “I am so proud of every one of our students. This year saw nearly a full suite of reformed GCSEs and for our students to achieve as highly as they have is testament to their hard work and commitment to their studies.”

Sophie Blackwell achieved five grade 9s and four grade 8s making her one of Perryfields High School’s top performers, with headteacher Ian Barton saying: “This year the students have sat some very challenging and rigorous GCSE exams so to come out with such incredible grades is fantastic.”