GCSE results 2023: Portsmouth Grammar School celebrates success of hard work

Annabel Bolton, 16, from Southsea, Hampshire, said she planned to go on to study A-levels in English, French and politics with the aim of going into law, having achieved 7s and 8s in her GCSEs at the private school.

She said: "I am happy, it's been hard but the teachers have been helpful and made it a lot easier. I will be going out to celebrate with friends."

Her mother, Helen, a teacher, said: "I am conscious of the grade boundaries have gone up significantly therefore the fact she has done so well is for me very pleasing knowing how difficult it has been."

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Emily Farrar, 16, from Portsmouth, said that she had been concerned by the grade boundary changes but said: "It made me really worried but I didn't think it affected me. I have done better than I thought, I passed everything and even got some 9s and 8s, I am very happy. It's party time now."

She said that her grades meant that she could now take up her place to study a diploma in sailing.

Lorcan Bonser-Wilton, 16, from Southbourne, Emsworth, was celebrating after achieving nine grade 9s and a grade 8. He said: "I came into PGS at quite a late stage from a state school which was not academically so good and the teachers have really given me the opportunity to fly and get these brilliant grades. I did a lot of revision and put a lot of hard work and pleased it's paid off."

He said that he would now go on to study history, French, English literature and classical civilisation.

He said: "In the long term I would like to work in the civil service, the foreign office, perhaps the diplomatic service."

His mother, Helen Bonser-Wilton, who is the chief executive of Leeds Castle in Kent, said: "I am just over the moon, he's worked so hard, the school has been brilliant, he deserves every bit of the success. I am just delighted for him, so proud."