A CANVEY secondary school has celebrated its best results at an awards evening.

Former Year 11 pupils joined staff at Furtherwick Park School to toast a year where 49 per cent of pupils left with at least five GCSEs graded A*–C.

These were the best results achieved by the school since GCSEs were introduced in 1986.

Chris Hayes, headteacher at the school, said: “We are so proud of the students and the hard work that they put into achieving these results.

“All students left the school with at least one GCSE qualification, with 97 per cent of students leaving with five or more qualifications graded A*–G reflecting the inclusive school that we aim to be.”

During the evening awards were also given out to pupils who had excelled in particular subject areas.

Teachers nominated pupils for the prizes. Awards were also given out for attendance, overall contribution to the school and service to the community.

Samantha Deal won awards for best overall examination results, overall contribution to the school together with attendance and punctuality.

Her mother, Shirley Deal, said: “I am so proud of her results.”

Furtherwick Park School is due to close in September 2011, as part of a shake-up of secondary school education on the island.

The proposals will see Castle View School move from its current location, in Meppel Avenue, to an entirely new building on Furtherwick Park School’s existing site in Furtherwick Road.