Almost 50 per cent of grades were gained at A*/A grade while over 20 per cent were at the very top A* mark.

This level of result from one of the largest cohorts at this level seen at the school represented an immensely pleasing outcome for headmaster Douglas Walker.

Pass rates remained high at 95 per cent while the percentage of pupils gaining a minimum of 5 A*-C grades reached 98 per cent (including English/mathematics).

Mr Walker said: “I congratulate our GCSE students on such a pleasing set of results, which is just reward for their efforts and for the support and guidance of their teachers.”

Individually no less than 20 seven students scored a minimum of 8 A/A* grades with 18 amassing at least nine at these top grades.

Pride of place went to Emily Fisher who achieved a full set of A* grades but she faced strong competition from Anne Boardman, Heather Cara, Robert Parr and Alice Whitehead who gained nine grades at A*.

With 13 students scoring a full set of A*/A grades there was just cause for celebration.