It's success all round!

Hayley Finch, 16, who has brittle bone disease, has suffered more than 300 fractures since birth and missed large chunks of school time.

Despite this, the Bingley Beckfoot pupil was one of thousands of students across Bradford celebrating yesterday.

Hayley passed six GCSEs at grade C and will now go on to study for a B-Tec in health and social care.

Although delighted with her grades, passionate Bantams fan Hayley was just as excited about a keenly-anticipated reward from proud mum Carol - a new Bradford City home shirt.

"I'm ecstatic," said Hayley. "I thought I'd got lower grades. This means I can train as a nursery nurse. I can now go and get the new City home shirt!"

Hayley has had several major operations, including ten-hour surgery at Sheffield Children's Hospital in February last year when she had two metal rods inserted next to her spine.

Mum Carol said: "She wanted to go back to school soon after her operation but could not do so. I am very, very proud of her. She has never given up."

Beckfoot School was one of several in the district to post record-breaking GCSE results. Some 64 per cent of pupils recorded at least five GCSEs at grade A*-C - 12 per cent up on last year.

Pupil Bethany Rugen was one of the school's best academic achievers with eight A*s, three As and a B.

Head teacher David Horn said: "This is wonderful for our students and great for the school as it's the first time we have broken through the 60 per cent barrier."

Students at Challenge College in Frizinghall were also celebrating. The school saw its A*-C percentage rate increase from 43 to 45 per cent.

Head teacher Sian Harris said: "Teaching pupils critical skills and how to learn has worked for us. As well as investigating each academic subject we also look at skills including prioritisation, leadership and decision-making."

Challenge student Danyal Hans overcame significant personal problems to achieve success. Aged nine, Danyal had a serious road accident which left him with a brain injury which affects his ability to concentrate.

Despite this, he achieved 12 A*-C grades and will now go on to A-level with a view to becoming a barrister.

Yorkshire Martyrs Catholic College also saw grades jump significantly. The number of students achieving at least five A*-C grades jumped by a massive 15 per cent from last year - to 48 per cent.

Head teacher John Tat said: "These are superb results that the pupils can be deservedly proud of."

Skipton-based Craven College saw its overall A*-C grades rise to 55 per cent from 49 per cent last year.

Successes included mature student Sarah Rogan, who achieved a grade C in English despite losing 16-year-old daughter Beth to leukaemia on New Year's Day, 2005. Sarah said: "I really wanted to do this for Beth as well as myself.

Tutor Mandy Sutherland was really helpful - I cannot thank her enough for the help she gave me and Beth over a very difficult time. I am working as a teaching assistant and am going to do the teaching assistants qualification at work next year and hope to go on to do my Maths GCSE at Craven College."

Bingley Grammar pupils also notched-up exam success.

Chloe Horsfield, of Eldwick, recorded eight A*s and three As and now plans to study for A-levels in RE, English language, theatre studies and textiles.

Guiseley School also recorded its best ever results - with 75 per cent of students achieving five or more A-C grades.

Councillor Dale Smith, Bradford Council's executive member for education, said it was too early to say how well the district had done as a whole, but added: "It looks clear from provisional GCSE results that a number of schools have made excellent progress. Teachers, staff and pupils should be congratulated on individual achievements."

• Provisional Key Stage 2 results released yesterday reveal little change on last year.

e-mail: dan.webber@bradford.newsquest.co.uk