YEAR 11 pupils across West Cheshire have beaten last year’s 5-plus A* to C GCSE grades by a record 7%.

Figures released yesterday (Tuesday, August 24) by the DFE revealed that 58% of pupils in the borough achieved this standard, including grades in English and maths, compared to 51% last year.

Pupils gaining five or more A*-C grades without English or Maths also shot up nine points from 68 to 77%.

Executive Member for Children’s Services, Arthur Harada, said: “This is a moment to savour – a headline result. A staggering 77% of our pupils have achieved good GCSE results.

“I would like to offer my warmest congratulations to all our students, staff and parents. I’m proud that so many of them are eligible to progress to the next stage of learning, having reached and even exceeded their full potential at GCSE level.”

Overall the number of pupils gaining five or more A*-G GCSE grades was also up three points from 94 to 97%.

Almost 3,700 pupils in 19 secondary schools across the borough sat the exams.