Schools across the Great Yarmouth borough are celebrating some top GCSE results despite a turbulent year.

Norwich Evening News: Students from Caister High School with their GCSE results.Picture: James BassStudents from Caister High School with their GCSE results.Picture: James Bass (Image: Archant Norfolk © 2014)

Cliff Park Ormiston Academy, Caister High and Flegg High School enjoyed improvements in a year that saw results rise and fall.

Staff at Cliff Park Ormiston in Gorleston were particularly pleased after the number of pupils gaining 5 A*-C including English and maths rocketed from 38pc last year to 54pc in 2014, while those gaining 5 A*-C grades came in at 59pc.

Principal Rob Sherington said: 'I am incredibly proud of all our Year 11 students. They have worked extremely hard, remained focused and have acted upon the advice given by their teachers whom I would also like to congratulate.'

In Martham, results at Flegg High were mixed as the number of pupils gaining 5 A*-C grades including English and maths went up from 58pc to 59pc, while those gaining 5 A*-C dropped from 67pc to 64pc.

Norwich Evening News: Students from Caister High School with their GCSE results.Picture: James BassStudents from Caister High School with their GCSE results.Picture: James Bass (Image: Archant Norfolk © 2014)

Principal Simon Fox said: 'It's a strong year for us in a year of uncertainty nationally so we're really pleased. 'There's been some really significant improvements in English and maths from last year, which is great, and some really exceptional individual performances.'

At Acle Academy, headteacher Tim Phillips said the headline figures for the South Walsham Road school were 'disappointing' as the number of pupils gaining 5 A*-C grades dropped, from 68pc to 67pc, and those gaining 5 A*-C including English and maths also fell from 52pc to 50pc.

But overall he said it was a 'mixed picture' with improved performances in many subjects and the shake up of GCSEs had to be taken into consideration.

'What we're always doing is making comparisons with previous years but there's a risk in that if the overall profile of results has changed, then it's not really clear if those comparisons are reliable,' he added.

'What we want to do is try and improve against our own performance but again, cohorts change. We're not talking about the same children.

'There are more factors than ever this year that might have an impact on results and I have certainly picked up nationally that there's quite a lot of talk of turbulence and unpredictable results and inconsistencies in the system.'

Caister High School is celebrating 'the best results in years' according to headteacher George Denby.

The school saw 59pc of students achieve grades A*-C and 54.2pc achieve A*-C including English and maths, up from 61pc and 42pc in 2013.

'The entire year group and the staff have worked very hard and they've achieved, in fact in a lot of cases they have excelled their targets,' said Mr Denby.

Meanwhile at Great Yarmouth VA High School, 40pc of students achieved A*-C including English and maths (down from 41pc in 2013) and 47pc achieved A*-C grades (down from 58pc).

Headteacher Wendy Missons said: 'The progress students have made in recent years in both attitude and achievement is truly impressive and down to sheer hard work and determination. They have exceeded their predictions from prior attainment and 100pc of high attaining students achieved 5ACEM: which is better than most Grammar schools.'

See tomorrow's Great Yarmouth Mercury for more pictures and a full report.