Jubilant students are celebrating at Wade Deacon today after achieving the school’s best ever GSCE results.

The Birchfield Road school in Widnes has bucked the national trend with 259 pupils achieving grades A*-C in English and maths.

Every student gained GCSE qualifications and leaves the school ready for further education and exciting careers.

Executive principal Pamela Wright said “I am very proud of all our students and would like to congratulate them on their excellent examination results.

“Students and teachers have worked together to achieve these results with the support of parents, carers, governors and the directors of the academy.

“To see the happy, smiling faces of our students makes their hard work and that of all our staff so worthwhile.

“This celebration today is only possible because of our daily ‘commitment to excellence’, ensuring that every child achieves more than they ever dreamt possible.”

Some 80 per cent of students achieving the top grades A*-C in English and maths and 79% achieved two A*-C grades in science, 83% in mathematics and 86% in English.

There was also a 42% increase in the number achieving the English Baccalaureate, with 153 students reaching this challenging academic standard.

More than half of all students achieved the very top A* or A grades in at least one subject.

Seven students who secured A* to A grades in every subject include Matthew Bannerman, Andrew Dixon, Michael Donohue, Emma Humphries, Bethannie O’Connor, Clara Popp, Tula Wild and James Yates.

The top 12 performers shared more than 130 A* and A grades between them.