HARD-WORKING students from across the borough are celebrating after they achieved top-class GCSE results.

Pupils have been praised for their outstanding attitude and dedication to their studies over the past two years, which has seen them break a number of school records along the way.

Across the UK, results improved again on last year with an overall pass rate of 98.1%, while the number of teenagers gaining A* to C grades rose 1.2% from 2005, to 62.4%.

Although girls were once again the top performers, there was greater improvement in the boys' results across the grades.

Whitby High School reached an all time high with 63% of their students gaining five passes at A* to C grades.

Their star achiever was Natalie Williams who scored ten A*/A grades. Not far behind were Francine McPhail, Greg Brittles and Holly Sanders who all secured nine A*/A grades.

Headteacher Margaret Hughes said: 'I'm very proud that the continued hard work of the students has seen them achieve outstanding results.

'The results this year show how the school is maintaining and driving up standards year on year and this is a direct result of the commitment of students and staff alike.'

Ellesmere Port Catholic High School also enjoyed a successful year with 67% of their pupils achieving five or more A* to C grades compared to 58% last year.

In addition, 99% of grades were passes, 89% were grade E or better and nearly one in five of all grades was A* or A.

Headteacher Peter Lee said: 'These results reflect great credit on our students who, with the strong support of their parents over the past two years, have worked hard with their teach-ers to produce excellence.'

Cheshire Oaks High School is celebrating another year of excellent progress after their GCSE results were 6% above their published target.

Headteacher Lynne Fox said: 'We are delighted with the fantastic results our students have achieved this year. A huge number have worked really hard and obtained higher grades than anticipated.

'It is clear that so many young people have set their sights high and met their own goals.

'These results clearly reflect how much progress has been made at our school. Well done to all staff and students.'

Sutton High School students enjoyed great success with nearly 33% achieving five A to C grades, with results well above the school's average in subjects such as Drama, Music, Engineering, Business Studies, Leisure and Tourism, ICT, Art 3D and Dance.

Top performers included Abi Mullen who scored an excellent five A*/A grades, Nick Wheeler and Charlotte Harper with four As, Karina Viklund with one A* and eight Bs and Leona Yung who secured two As and five Bs.

Headteacher Chris Needham said: 'Congratulations to all the staff who have worked so hard, especially Miss Holyland, Head of Year, and of course, the pupils themselves.'

For the fifth consecutive year, the pass rate and number of pupils achieving A* to C grades at Neston High School increased.

Best achievers were Olivia Stone and Chelsea Theaker, who got an exceptional seven A* grades, followed by Michael Farrall with six A*s and Jessica Bell with five.

Headteacher Ruth Winterson said: 'These excellent results are a reflection of the tremendous hard work and dedication of the students and teachers, supported by a strong home-school partnership which is an outstanding feature of this school. I am proud and delighted.'