Scores of students at three of the Island's private schools have passed their GCSEs — the exams taken by British schoolchildren.

Bermuda High School for Girls, Warwick Academy and Saltus Grammar all reported a far higher number of students achieving five or more A* to C or "good" grades than the UK national average of 58.5 percent.

Bermuda High School did the best, with 45 students sitting GCSEs and 95.5 percent achieving five or more "good" passes. The top students were Surekha Rodrigo (7A*s, 2As); Eleanor Gardner (5A*s, 4As); Hannah King (2A*s, 7As); Francesca Rowlinson (5A*s, 2As, 2Bs); Christine Jack (3A*s, 5As, 1B) and Catherine Finsness (2A*s, 6As, 1B).

Head teacher Linda Parker said: "Considering that BHS is a nonselective school that accepts students with a wide range of abilities, I am very happy with these results. All of the students and teachers are to be warmly congratulated on these excellent results."

At Warwick Academy, 61 students sat a mixture of international GCSEs and GCSEs. The number gaining five or more grades A* to C was 86 percent.

Head teacher Robert Lennox said this year's results set new standards for the school. "The percentage improvement is striking — a five percent increase in the total of highest grades, i.e. A* to C," he said.

Mr. Lennox added that there was also a rise in the number of A* and A grades. The top students were Christian Fiddick (4A*s, 5As); Alex Baillargeon (2A*s, 4As, 2Bs); Jason Ebbin (4A*s, 1A, 3Bs, 1C); Rebecca Sharpe (1A*, 5As, 3Bs); Dylan Runkel (1A*, 6As, 1B, 1C); Brandon Guimond-Carter (5As, 4Bs) and Winton Brangman (1A*, 3As, 5Bs).

"This was a tremendous performance by a year group who took us a little by surprise," added Mr. Lennox. "Their results are rather above our forecasts. I put it down to the calibre and dedication of the teachers and positive outcomes to changes in modes of assessment and approaches to teaching."

Saltus Grammar School achieved its best GCSE results in nine years with 81 percent of the 67 students who sat the exams achieving five "good" passes. Headmaster Nigel Kermode congratulated students and staff on a "very pleasing performance", adding: "This is the highest percentage recorded in the past nine years."

High performers were Jessica Zuiker (2A*s, 5As, 2Bs); Matthew Witkowski (3A*s, 4As, 2Bs) and Nicholas Rinehimer (4A*s, 5As).