Schools across the district were celebrating record results yesterday as GCSE students discovered how they had been rewarded for their hard work.

As the national pass rate rose for the 23rd year in a row, with almost seven in ten entries gaining at least a C grade, several schools across the district were also enjoying their best ever results.

St Mary’s Menston expected to be at top of the league tables yet again, after almost all students achieved five or more A* to C grades, with 85 per cent counting English and maths among them.

Headteacher Robert Pritchard said: “These are outstanding results, we could not have asked for more.

“They are the reflection of the hard work and effort from the staff and students.

“I want to congratulate all of our students.”

Top performing students included Christina Graham and Aine Donnelly, who both gained 11 A*s, and Charlotte O’Byrne, who achieved 11 A*s and two As.

Bingley Grammar School posted another set of fine results, with several students achieving numerous A*s.

Headteacher Julia Wright said: “It’s another good set of results. Obviously I have only been here a year but I’m really proud of our students, who work incredibly hard and the staff who look after them.”

David Horn, headteacher at Beckfoot School, Bingley, said he was pleased with the school’s record-breaking 87 per cent of students achieving A* to C, and 60 per cent with English and maths.

He said: “Beckfoot is absolutely thrilled for all of our GCSE students.

“One hundred per cent of our students have achieved a qualification, something of which we are very proud.”

At Guiseley School, headteacher Paul Morrissey said this year’s results saw 86 per cent of pupils achieve five or more A* to C grades.

“Our GCSE results indicate our continued commitment to raising achievement.”

More records were broken at Benton Park School in Rawdon, with several star performers including Aidon Nixon who gained 12 A grades, 10 of them A*s.

Headteacher, David Foley, said: “The figure of 80 per cent five A* to C grades is the best in the history of the school.

“Our results arise from a strong working relationship between parents, carers, pupils and staff.”

Meanwhile, Bradford Grammar School must have thought it was seeing double as identical twins Sam and Will Weatherhead, 16, of Bingley, remarkably posted identical results.

The pair were bemused to discover they both got eight A*s and three As -- in the same subjects.

The twins’ schoolmate actress Georgie Henley, from Ilkley, star of The Chronicles of Narnia film series, also had plenty of reason to be cheerful about after gaining eight A*s and two As.

She said: “I didn’t expect it at all, I actually thought my results would be much worse.”