Many pupils across Wharfedale and Aireborough are all smiles today after achieving excellent GSCE grades.

Several schools are reporting record-breaking results and their best ever performances.

St Mary's Menston expect to be at top of the league tables yet again, after almost all students achieved five or more A* to C grades.

Headteacher Robert Pritchard said: "These are outstanding results, we could not have asked for more. "They are the reflection of the hard work and effort from the staff and students.

"I want to congratulate all of our students who have made outstanding progress." At Guiseley School, headteacher Paul Morrissey said he was delighted with another fine set of results which saw 86 per cent of pupils achieve five or more A* to C grades.

"Our GCSE results this year indicate our continues committment to raising achievement in a caring commuinity.

"Staff and students have worked together to produce results of a high calibre."

More records were broken at Benton Park School in Rawdon, with several star performers including Aidon Nixon who gained 12 A grades, 10 of them A*s.

Headteacher, David Foley, said: “The figure of 80 per cent five A* to C grades is the best in the history of the school. Our results this year are very strong indeed and arise from a strong working relationship between parents, carers, pupils and staff. I would like to thank and commend everyone for their hard work and commitment."

Prince Henry's Grammar School in Otley also enjoyed a best-ever year, with 89 per cent of students achieving at least five A* to C grades and 68 per cent achieving five or more A* to Cs including English and maths. Headteacher Janet Sheriff said: "There have been some fantastic individual success stories too including Megan Davies and Patrick Stewart who both achieved nine A* and two A grades each. “Students and staff deserve congratulations for the hard work and dedication that has brought about this year’s record breaking results at both GCSE and A level.” Meanwhile several students from Wharfedale and Aireborough achieved top grades at the The Grammar School at Leeds. Elizabeth Tapsfield from Menston, gained nine A*s and one A, as did Katherine Ward from Bramhope. Leonora Cherry, from Pool-in-Wharfedale got eight A*s and two As, Hannah Cornish of Bramhope had seven A*s and three As and Charlotte Martin, also of Bramhope received four A*s and six A grades. Amy Bolser, of Addingham, attained four A*s, three As and three B grades and Annabelle Priestley, of Addingham Moorside, was awarded two A*s, seven As and one B grade. The school is celebrating its best ever set of GCSE passes at A* to C with 99.2 per cent of pupils achieving the grades. Principal Mr Mike Gibbons said: “This is an excellent set of results, particularly this year as GCSEs are moving away from reliance on course work to being more exam based. “I offer my warmest congratulations to all our students and staff for their hard work, enthusiasm and commitment." Steve Jex, headteacher at Horsforth School called his pupil's GCSE performance "superb". "These superb results are a testimony to the commitment to learning at our school and strong partnerships with our parents," he said. "We are all delighted with the outstanding achievements of our students." A total of 76 per cent of all students attained five or more GCSE grades at A* to C including English and Maths, with 90 per cent of all students achieving five or more grade Cs or better.

  • Full results, reaction and pictures in next week's issue of our papers