FOR the second year running, Bishop Heber High School's GCSE results place it in the exclusive 70% Club.

The accolade comes after at least 70% of its Year 11 students achieved five or more GCSEs at Grade A* to C.

Overall, 71% of students achieved at least five higher grades (A*-C).

The school's overall pass rate (A*-G) at 99.7% took it above the national average of 97.6%.

Lucy Hardman, of Bickerton, achieved nine A*s and one grade A.

Also gaining 10 A* or As were Becky Gaden of Bulkeley, Hannah Lewis of Farndon, Jenny Mills of Bronington, Beth Morris of Tattenhall, Helen Rutherford of Bunbury and Miriam Sharp-Pierson of Malpas.

Achieving nine grade A* or As were Kim Bowker of Bulkeley, Robert Logan of Ightfield and Will Sadler of Aldersey.

There were also some outstanding results in the individual subjects.

In PE and Italian there were 100% pass rates at A* to C, while 86% of the 85 history students achieved higher grades.

There were strong performances in religious studies, drama, food technology, textiles, business studies and graphics.

The core subjects of English, Maths and Science also did well.

New acting head David Curry was jubilant.

He said: 'This year group has achieved the best-yet value-added scores compared with their performance in the national tests at age 14. This is a terrific achievement for my colleagues, our students and their parents.'

Director of Post-16 Learning Graham Bibby is already looking forward to the next school year - and his fresh A-level entry.

'The year's excellent GCSE results match the Heber's continuing first-class performance at A-level. We have a record number of applicants to Year 12 and we're delighted that today's results indicate that the vast majority of students will be able to follow their chosen courses with us next year.'

It wasn't just Year 11 students who had reason to celebrate. Year nine students Kenza McCullough of Gresford and Liam Hutchinson of Malpas both entered for their GCSE French two years early.

Both achieved results which placed them in the top five out of more than 160,000 students!