STUDENTS at Ilkley Grammar School were celebrating a bumper set of GCSE results.

They follow hard on the heels of a 99.7per cent pass rate in this year's A L:evel examinations.

A total of 247 students achieved more than 2,000 GCSE grades this year, and the school says almost 73 per cent of all its GCSE candidates gained five or more grades A* to C.

Around three quarters of all grades gained at the school were at these levels.

Head teacher, Peter Wood, said: "These grades represent another wonderful achievement for our students.

"Following on last week's outstanding pass rate at A level, the school's five A* to C percentage at GCSE has again increased this year.

"This is out second set of results as an 11-18 secondary school and they show that our students continue to maintain high standards."

"For those who haven't necessarily achieved at the highest levels, more modest grades can be the result of just as much hard work.

"As a comprehensive school we are proud of the success of all out students. Staff too must be congratulated. This has been another busy year for them and they worked hard to achieve these results."

There were tales off success across the region as pupils received their results last Thursday.

Throughout Wharfedale and Airedale pupils have notched up record levels of passes.

Pupils at St Mary's Catholic Comprehensive in Menston have gained the best results the school has seen with 75 per cent attaining five or more passes at grade C or better.

Over 90 per cent achieved a C grade in at least one subject.

High achievement was shown by nine students who managed to pass all subjects at grade A or A*.

Star pupil at the school was Hannah Bunyan who was awarded an A* in all 11 subjects.

Headteacher Michael Pyle praised the students for their hard work and commitment.

He said: "This has been a team effort and the whole school can be proud of the achievement shown through these results."

Prince Henry's Grammar School also had a fantastic year.

Over 64 per cent of students at the school obtained the benchmark of five or more passes at C or above. The overall pass rate was 95 per cent.

Camila Tobias achieved the ultimate set of results for the school with an A* in every subject.

Fifty Year 10 students took GCSEs in Maths and Languages one year early and obtained a 100 per cent pass rate with over 40 grades being at A* or A.

Headteacher John Steel said: "Follow-ing our incredible A level results, which beat all previous records and are probably the best in any Leeds school, it is wonderful for our students to receive more record results.

"My congratulations go to all the staff and students involved."

At Guiseley School there was a pass rate of 98 per cent and one in four passes were at A* or A grades.

Ian Whitehurst, Head of Year 11, said: "Considering the high expectations placed on the students throughout the last two years, they have worked exceptionally hard to achieve some outstanding results.

"We have spent an increasing amount of time giving the students more advice and guidance on their individual progress, via mentoring, study skill workshops and review days, and this has clearly paid off."

Horsforth School had their best set of results, with 65 per cent of the candidates gaining A* to C grades.

Headteacher Steve Jex was delighted: "We believe in teamwork at our school and this has certainly paid dividends.

"I now look forward to many of our students continuing their education at Horsforth School."

Pupils at The Girls' Grammar School in Bradford have achieved astounding results, with a 99.4 per cent pass rate.

High standards plus a high calibre of pupils have been responsible for this year's impressive results, with 100per cent of girls obtaining seven or more A to C grades. Approximately one third of all results are at A* level while more than two thirds are at A or A* level. A total of 24 girls out of a year group of 87 have gained grade As in every subject.

This is the very first year that the GCSE Japanese has been an option and, out of the six girls who opted to take the subject, all passed with flying colours, achieving A*'s.

The girls who have helped put Japanese on the map include Becky Morrell (Guiseley) and Jo Learman (Menston).

Each pupil took a total of nine different subjects from a selection of 21 and 24 opted to take part in the two short courses in PE and IT, which each amount to 50per cent of a GCSE. For the second consecutive year a group of nine lower fifth pupils sat the French GCSE a year early, all reaching grade A*.

"We are thoroughly delighted with the results this year," commented Mrs Warrington, headmistress. "Each pupil has worked extremely hard to exceed all expectations - the year group is a credit to the school and we are immensely proud to be associated with them."