PUPILS at St Nicholas' High School managed to surpass the high expectations of staff following this year's GCSE results.

Of the students who sat GCSE exams, 75 per cent achieved five or more passes at A* to C, and half of them gained 10 or more GCSEs at these high grades.

Assistant head teacher Peter Jennings said the pupils deserve great credit.

"These figures include a number of students who have not found learning very easy," he said.

"They have achieved a high level of success as measured against any standard.

"In many ways this gives staff and students alike the greatest sense of achievement and continues to underpin the comprehensive ideal."

Pupil Maeve McClenaghan, who undertook work experience at the Guardian earlier this month, was the school's star performer with 10 A* grades and one A.

Helen Coxon gained 9 A*s, one A and one B, and Rosemarie Carrick, Sinead Doyle and Amy Loft all collected eight A* passes and three As.

Mr Jennings added: "I wish all our students well for the future as they embark on a new phase in their lives, be it further study or employment."