Hethersett a norfolk village on the web

When Hethersett High School threw out a challenge to parents to study for a GCSE alongside their children it was too good an opportunity to be missed for a mother and son from the village.

Jeanette Raven, 48, and son Jack, 16, decided to study together for a maths GCSE after Jeanette admitted that she was bemused by Jack's algebra.

Mrs Raven, of Whitegates Close, Hethersett, said: “I did my GCE O level maths 32 years ago and got a C grade, but I absolutely loathed maths and was amazed I even passed it that time.

“I really enjoyed doing it this time." And the result is that both passed with identical grades.

Hethersett High School had 51% of its pupils achieve A* to C grades, including English and Maths. Head teacher Rosie Allen said: “This is a really good result for this particular cohort of students, who over achieved their targets.

“A significant number of students have also done extremely well, achieving more than five As and A*s.”

Pupils at Hethersett Old Hall School had impressive results with the percentage of pupils achieving the “magic five” rising from 85% last year to 89.7%. When English and Maths are included the statistics also show a rise from 69% in 2006 to 76.9% this year.

Head teacher Janet Mark said: “The results are very good. I think the girls will be very pleased - everybody has worked very hard.”