A record 51.4 per cent of 16-year-olds gained five or more A* to C grades - an improvement of almost ten per cent on last year.

Headteacher Brian Rossiter said Valley students and staff have confounded doubters.

"I am delighted with these extremely good results," he said.

"Our critics should look at them, and reflect on the effort we have put in to achieve this performance."

"Valley students' exam success will give them a very positive advantage when taking the next step into work, education or training."

Student Lauren Hegarty earned the grades she needed to attend the sixth form in September.

"I'll be studying ICT, applied science, maths and geography," said Lauren, of Newton Close.

"But I won't be able to celebrate with friends just yet because I'm going straight off on holiday."

Fellow student Philip Chambers, of Littondale, was planning to meet up with friends to celebrate after gaining five A*s, three As and one B.

"I did better than expected," said the 16-year-old.

"I'll be going to the Post 16 Centre to do PE, English language, physics and maths."

And Lydia Ayto, of Fairfax Avenue, said it was great to see all her hard schoolwork finally pay off.

"I got eight Bs and four Cs," she said. "It's exactly what I wanted."

"It means I can take the A-levels I wanted in psychology, English language and literature, art and maths."