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HEAD teacher Nick Wilson attributes a successful student to excellent team work between students, parents and teachers. Delighted about the performance by the school's senior students, he said that the results were particularly pleasing because of the disruptive start to last year's schooling and the anxious time faced by everyone.
In total 152 students took GCSE examinations this year; 81 students, over half of the year group, achieved 5As and A*s or more; 99.3 per cent of students achieved five or more grades at A* to C.
Fifty four per cent, or over half of all the examinations taken, were graded A or A* and 24 per cent, or a quarter of the results, were A* grades.
Mr Wilson said: "The top 40 per cent of our students, 61 in total, had 99.5 per cent of all examinations graded at A*, A or B. These are the best results we have ever had. The students have been outstanding and I am very proud of all of them.
"We are delighted especially as these excellent results were achieved despite the late start. There was a lot of anxiety due to the school closures and the extended days were tiring. I can only compare the results with previous groups and can say that they have done fantastically well and exceeded our expectations.
"C is a benchmark figure and at St Chris they need five C grades to progress into post 16 study. That is a minimum that we expect a student to have."
The school placed a lot of emphasis on helping students focus better. Revision strategies and guidelines, special parent evenings with teachers demonstrating different learning styles, advice on organising rooms and planning timetables were all part of the strategy.
Mr Wilson said: "We introduced novel initiatives to get the team spirit up and it is something we are going to continue with. We had large barn exercises where students came together with T-shirts sporting slogans like 'Team English'.
"We got year groups together and they would have a special keynote address for different things, about specific points of the course such as essay writing, about key points to do with a particular exam so that we were all in it together.
"I put together a revision plan and that was made available to parents and students. So there were lots of big things and lots of little things - many that would ordinarily happen but also some novel things in the circumstances to keep up spirits."
The school is also delighted with the performance level at A' levels with 82 students taking a total of 350 exams; 23 students achieved three A grades or more.
Forty four per cent of all the examinations taken were graded A or A* and 16 per cent were awarded A*, the new super A grade, and 66 per cent were graded B and above.
Ahmed Elgohary, Amy Gonsalves and Maryam Mir were awarded four A* grades.
The school also announced its first International Baccalaureate results with total results averaging at 33 Diploma points - the worldwide average being 29.5. The maximum possible is 45 points.
Anant Bahl and Praveer Nidamaluri were awarded 43 and 42 Diploma points respectively.
Fourteen per cent of the total results were a grade seven, the highest achievable in any subject, and 38 per cent were graded level six and seven.
Mr Wilson added: "We are mighty pleased and looking forward to improve and mindful that some cohorts are more able than others and produce higher results. It is important to monitor what these students are doing and to ensure they are fulfilling their potential. It is not just about A*, it is about those students who should get their five Cs or get the grades that enable them to move on.
"In the higher classes students have to learn to balance work with extra curricular activities or play. The focus shifts towards the academic in Year 11.
"It is important that students are planning in advance. Regular review of work needs to be built in within homework schedules and other activities.
"It is an ongoing process and it is important that they organise their space and time properly. It is important that they do their work when it is set because it can build up.
"Pressures are there and it can be a stressful time but they should seek advice if they are facing any difficulty. Stress is a normal thing and it happens to us all but there are strategies to relieve it.
"Students should have a tidy workplace and should manage distractions. Making sure they are fully focussed and have regular routines - sleep, regular diet and exercise, are absolutely essential.
"Parents should get involved and talk. It is about giving that support. Teenagers can be difficult but if there are any concerns they can contact the school. We are here to advise and help."
