ALL records have been broken at Middlewich County High with the best set of GCSE results in the school's history.

More than 60 per cent of pupils scored five or more A* to C passes - making the results twice as good as the school's performance six years ago.

But it was the school's head girl Gillian Bottomley who broke the records with an amazing eight A* passes and two As in her haul.

Gillian, of Bosley Close, Middlewich, was delighted with her achievement.

She said: "I'm absolutely thrilled. I worked really hard for it and it's paid off.

"The teachers have been really supportive, particularly in science and French."

Gillian, aged 16, now plans to study for A-levels in French, psychology and English at Sir John Deane's College, Northwich.

Her ultimate ambition is to work in the media, as a producer.

She was closely followed in her results by Winsford's Emma Gray who was awarded six A* passes and five As.

Emma, of Middlewich Road, said: "I'm really amazed - my results are a lot better than I expected.

"I'm going on to do A-levels in chemistry, biology and maths in September at Sir John Deane's."

Emma is aiming for a career in forensic science.

Other girls to do particularly well included Lisa Boyd (five A* passes and four As), Rachel Hankey (five A* passes and four As) and Claire Roberts (four A* passes and five As).

Among the boys, Mark Vernon was the leader of the pack scoring seven A* passes and two As, followed by Andrew Lamb with seven As and Steven Hunt another proud recipient of seven A grades among his passes.

Philip Andrews, headteacher, said he was almost stuck for words when he read the results gained by his Year 11 pupils.

He said: "On the 10th anniversary of the GCSE results, I am cock-a-hoop.

"Over 60 per cent of pupils with at least five A* to Cs is the highest achievement by any group in the school's history.

"All subjects have contributed evenly to these outstanding figures. I am very proud of our pupils and their teachers who have worked so hard for this success."

One innovation in the Middlewich GCSE results this year was the completion for the first time of GCSE short courses in religious education and information technology.

All students in Year 11 were entered for one or both of these papers in addition to the full quota of nine full length GCSEs.

Mr Andrews explained: "It's a way of fitting all aspects of the demanding National Curriculum in each pupil's timetable and ensuring that as many as possible come out at the end of their school career here with a qualification worth something in the world of work or study.

"The first run-through has certainly been a success. We shall be continuing with this policy in the future."

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