THERE was a flurry of excitement at Holmes Chapel Comprehensive School on Thursday as pupils picked up their GCSE results.

This year, the school scored big success at both ends of the spectrum, with significant improvements in the top grades across the range of subjects. Across all entries, the school achieved 81 percent at A* to C, with 34 percent at top grades A* or A.

In English and Geography, the achievements were described by Executive Head Teacher Denis Oliver as outstanding, as 38 percent of pupils scored the top A* or A. In mathematics 29 percent scored A* or A, with a total of 74 percent at A* to C.

The school, which is a designated specialist Science School, scored highly in all science subjects. The top grades of A* or A were achieved by 48 percent in Biology, 44 percent in Physics and 50 percent in Chemistry. In total, 42 pupils achieved A* or A in all three science subjects.

Seven pupils celebrated achieving A*or A in all three sciences plus English and Mathematics.

“Congratulations to all of our learners who have worked really hard not just this year but across the past five years at our school,” said Denis Oliver. “In September we open the doors to our new Sixth Form College and we hope that in two years’ time the work that goes on today will show a repeat of this year’s 100 percent pass rate at A level.”

One top performer, Nathaniel Shatwell, 16, from Congleton, achieved 6 A*s, 4 As and a Distinction, and will go on to study Biology, Chemistry, Psychology and French at A-level.

“I was really apprehensive, nervous and excited at the same time,” he told the Guardian.

“But I did better than I expected.”

Fellow high-flier Sam Mottershead, 16, from Goostrey, will be studying Maths, Physics, Systems and Chemistry in September, after securing 5A*s and 5As. He told the Guardian he was anxious beforehand but very happy with his results.