Deputy head Mrs C Ridgway said: “The governors and staff are delighted by the school’s best ever GCSE results with over 72 per cent of students achieving five or more grade A*-C grades.

“Many students achieved outstanding results with some gaining 11 A* grades as well as several A grades. Ninety per cent of students achieved one or more grade A*-C in science and 99 per cent of students achieved a qualification in both literacy and numeracy.

“A number of year nine and 10 students took their GCSEs one or two years early and their results were also outstanding.”

The school’s exams officer Yvonne Astley-Jones has been asked by he National Assessment Agency to be involved in the Examination Officer Induction Handbook.

Yvonne has been chosen because of her vast experience and success in doing the job in the largest school in the North West.

Her role will be as a contributor to the handbook and also to become a facilitator to run meetings in September in London.

She said: “Gone are the days of just GCSE and A-Level. We now have AS-Level, as well as GCSE and BTEC in years eight and nine and 10 plus year seven CATS. Just looking at the year 11 GCSE the number of entries is 3,276.”

Students David Uphill, head of year 11, James Slack, Charley Carr, Sophia Fife, Naomi Hobley and Moe Latt managed 65 A* between them.

Top student James Pollock got 11A*s and two As. Danielle Warren, 16, has 12 subjects A - G in spite of the fact she is a carer for her single parent mum who has SLE (systemic lupus erythematosus).

Since age nine Danielle has had to do housework, cooking as well as taking care of her mum.

She said, “Yes, it’s been quite hard to study along with all the other stuff I have had to do, but I am really pleased with my results. I have had a lot of help from my teachers in organising my coursework and revision.”

Another carer is Jack Frimston. Jack’s mum has had multiple scelrosis since he was born. He said: “I have to do the day-to-day jobs like cooking, clearing and shopping. My mother is in a wheelchair, so I take her out, though she now has a scooter which is better for her.”

Jack got 11 A-Gs. He is a keen actor and is going on to the school’s sixth form to study drama, English language and English literature. His ambition is to get in West End theatre.

Ice skater Sally Hoolin moved to Blackburn to live but has continued distance learning with the school while maintaining her successful skating career.

She is determined to represent GB in the 2010 Winter Olympics, but needs to maintain her academic levels.

She gained nine subjects, five A and three B. All her teachers set up learning-on-line for her and Sally has visited the school at regular intervals.

As well as year 11 results, the school had 20 year nines entered for sports studies with results A - D. Georgina Toft and Sophie Bradshaw got A* in French.