Four students at a Bradford school for the deaf are celebrating after scooping full marks in their sign language exams.

The 17-year-olds were the first pupils at Thorn Park School for the Deaf, in Thorn Lane, Heaton, to take the NVQ level three exams equivalent to A-levels in British Sign Language (BSL).

And all passed with flying colours with marks of a hundred per cent across the board.

Senior deaf instructor Carol McEachran worked with pupils Liaqut Hussain, Yassir Hussain, Kaiser Hussain and Sarah Summers - who are all profoundly deaf - and helped them put together a portfolio as part of the qualification's requirements.

"It's a great achievement for them all and they all worked so hard," she said.

"It's good they have been able to gain high-level qualifications in their first language, BSL, as normally they find they are penalised because they have to do exams in their second language, English."

Now two of the students, Liaqut and Sarah, are planning to take NVQ level four in BSL which will make them qualified signing tutors.

As part of their exams they had to take part in debates, conduct a meeting, act out a performance about their life in school and conduct a one-to-one conversation, all in sign language.

The school started the NVQ level three course with staff in 2002 and because of its success it was extended to sixth-form pupils last year. Five members of staff have also this year passed the qualification.

Headteacher David Muir said: "It's fantastic. For the past three years our SATs results have risen year on year and now profoundly deaf students are leaving us with qualifications at the same level as A-level.

"It is clear that parents and students can be confident our pupils are getting the best possible education for young deaf people."