de Stafford School in Caterham, the school firmly placed 'at the heart of the Caterham community', is celebrating another set of improved GCSE results this year. With 55% of year 11 students achieving 5 or more A*-C grades including English and maths. This demonstrates a 4% increase on last year's performance.

Students who performed exceptionally well include Lydia Gatward, Robert Clark, Kayleigh Gillings and Rachel Harper. All of these students achieved 14 or more GCSEs, with the vast majority being A*/A grades, including triple science.

Caroline Longhurst, Headteacher, commented: "Our results this year show an improvement on the percentage of students leaving school with 5 or more A*-C grades including English and maths which is a key indicator of a school's performance. I am, as always, delighted for our students who have worked so hard to achieve this well deserved success. This could not have been accomplished without the support of parents/carers and the commitment and dedication of the de Stafford staff who encourage, support and inspire our students to do their very best." The school is also celebrating a marked increase of 11% from last year on the proportion of students who gained GCSE Maths. This is particularly impressive as mathematics was a curriculum area the school has been working hard to improve its performance in since their Ofsted inspection in March 2011.

de Stafford has been rewarded for its continued improvement in standards and performance through the major financial investment being made by the Local Authority and support received by key members of Surrey County Council including Cllr David Hodge. The recent refurbishment to the Sports' Hall floor received a contribution of ￡35,000. At the opening launch David Hodge said: "One of the things I am impressed about at de Stafford is the quality of the teaching. Parents can be sure that their children will get good results here. It's a school that I consider to be outstanding." The long awaited canteen facility, which will cost in the region of 1.3 million, is in its final planning stage and work on the new build is due to commence towards the end of the Autumn term.

The de Stafford site has also seen some major refurbishment and updating during the summer break including the creation of a modernised facility which houses the Tandridge Education Partnership and is also a hub for local community groups and organisations as well as being part of the school resources.

de Stafford is now a popular and oversubscribed school which caters for local children and enables them to thrive within a positive and productive learning community.

For more information about de Stafford School visit www.destafford.org.uk