PUPILS and staff at Brine Leas High School in Nantwich are celebrating impressive GCSE results with 99% of candidates achieving at least five passes - a 2.5% increase on last year.

Almost 70% of the pupils gained five or more A*- C passes with a number being awarded double passes in Applied GCSE exams and more than 50% gaining eight or more high grades.

Within those were some outstanding results with 67 pupils gaining 10 or more high grades and six scoring a remarkable 12.

Students who took maths a year early also achieved outstanding success with 20 students all gaining A* grades.

Among the high-fliers were Anna Wallace with 12 A* grades and Andrew Down and Kirsten Maechtig, who both got seven A*s and five As.

Gregory Jones scored an impressive nine A*s, three As and one B, Sahana Krishnan got eight A*s, two As and two Bs and Lauren Taylor secured 12 A*- C grades.

Headteacher Mike Butler said: 'We aim to provide all our students with a successful education, and these results show we achieve this year on year and that students are working consistently hard and doing well by themselves and their families.'

Within the last 12 months the school has become a specialist languages college to add to its expertise in technology, science, maths and information technology.

Teachers believe it is a real indication of the breadth of study and commitment by pupils and say the results are an ideal start to the new status as a Foundation School.

ST THOMAS MOORE RC HIGH

DELIGHTED pupils at St Thomas Moore Roman Catholic High School in Crewe are celebrating after 72.2% of the year group achieved five or more A*-C passes in their GCSE exams.

High standards of achievement went right across the ability range as 90% of the year group achieved a grade C or above in at least one subject.

As a specialist school in mathematics and ICT, it was also celebrating after 29 year 10 pupils sat GCSE statistics a year early with nine of them achieving A* or A grade passes.

Headteacher Peter Walters said: 'These are sterling results as most of the pupils' work was completed out of school curriculum hours.'

He added: 'We are absolutely delighted and proud for all our pupils and parents.

'These results were achieved through the hard work and positive approach of the pupils, the expertise and commitment of staff, and the support and encouragement of the parents.' nNo detailed individual results are published this week for St Thomas More because the school does not make them available until its annual presentation evening.

MALBANK

THERE were happy faces all round as Malbank School pupils collected their GCSE results on Thursday.

Of the 207 candidates at the Nantwich school, 98% gained five or more passes on average and many teenagers confirmed they would be enrolling into Malbank Sixth Form College next month.

Outstanding results were earned by 25 pupils who gained 10 or more grade A passes.

The 10 with the 'top scores' earned a mammoth 107 passes between them, all at grade A* or A.

The 100 Year 10 students who entered GCSE statistics or performing arts a year early passed their exams with flying colours, mostly with top grades which gives them a head start for next term.

Among this year's star performers were Iain Atkinson who scored a faultless 11 A* passes. He recently returned from the world famous Montreaux Jazz Festival where he performed with the school jazz band.

Hugh Upcott-Gill gained 10 A* passes and one A; Vishnu Prakesh got 11 passes at A* and A; and Luke Bowyer scored eight A* passes and three As.

Sophie Abrahams, who has just returned from a school expedition to Patagonia, notched 10 passes at A* and A, as did William Epps and Samuel Groves.

Headteacher Allan Kettleday said: 'I am delighted not only for the many high achievers, who have produced some of the best results in the country, but for students from across the full ability range, including those with special educational needs, who have worked hard and achieved their personal goals.

'I look forward to hearing of their further successes in the sixth form, in further education or in their chosen careers.'