schools in the Keighley district are celebrating outstanding GCSE results.

Oakbank has chalked up its best-ever results and a 10th successive annual rise in standards.

Fifty-one per cent of students achieved five A*-C passes, up 2 per cent on last year.

Head teacher Chris Thompson said staff and students had worked extremely hard and the results were reward for their efforts.

He said: "I'm delighted in my first year to have maintained the excellent progress the school made under John Roberts's headship."

Among the top individual performers were Daniel Mosby, with three A*s and five As, Lucy Marsden with two A*s and six As, Kayleigh Humphreys with four A*s and five As, Rebecca Olsson with four A* and four As, and Emma Layton with three A*s and four As.

At South Craven School, in Cross Hills, 52 per cent of students obtained five or more A* to C passes -- the second highest number ever.

Eleven students achieved seven or more A*/A grades and the overall A* to G pass rate was 98 per cent.

Outstanding individual performers included Danielle Brown, Daniel Fryett and Daniel Olsson, who each gained five A*s and four As.

Deputy head David Birks said: "We are very pleased with our GCSE results and congratulate students and staff on their achievements, which are the result of all their hard work and commitment."

At Greenhead High School, 22.1 per cent of students gained five or more A*-C grades -- maintaining levels from last year.

And the percentage of students gaining at least one pass also remained constant, at 92.

"We are particularly encouraged by the results of this group of young people, because through hard work they have exceeded their projected results and we look forward to seeing the 'value added score' when it is published in the autumn," said head Tricia McCarthy.

Eighteen students gained nine or more passes at A*-C, with another 12 achieving seven or eight passes at that level. Outstanding students included Umar Iqbal with two A*s, four As and six Bs; Nayar Pervez with one A*, four As and five Bs, and Rianna Parvez who got two A*s, two As, six Bs and one C.

Mrs McCarthy said the performance of the boys was pleasing, with more gaining top grades than girls.

At Holy Family School, 55 per cent of pupils achieved at least five A*-C grades and the overall A*-G pass rate was 98 per cent.

A spokesman said: "The head teacher and staff congratulate all our students for maintaining the very high standards of last year.

"A substantial number of individuals achieved very good results in all subjects, gaining top grades."

Parkside School, in Cullingworth, was also pleased with its results.

Head Dr Tony Rickwood said: "We think the results are looking very positive. We are particularly impressed with the performing arts results.

"That is a good thing because as part of our specialist college status, we are converting our main hall into a theatre."

He added that of this particular age group, because of the large number of special needs students, the results probably would not be up on last year.

Results pages 10 and 11