KNUTSFORD students have celebrated record-breaking GCSE results at the King’s School.

Pupils have bucked the national trend and pulled off the best grades since 2014.

Thatcher Nulty, 16, from High Legh, achieved five 9s, two 8s, three 7s and one 4 and hopes his excellent results will lead to study at the London School of Economics.

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County hockey star and Duke of Edinburgh gold award candidate, Sophie Robinson, 16, from Lower Withington, gained four 8s, three 7s and four 6s and also hopes to read Economics at university.

Trampoline star and netball player Sophia Calderwood, 16, from Mobberley, gained one 9, seven 8s, one 7 and one 6 and hopes to study linguistics at university.

Cheerleading and trampoline coach Samantha Morrison, 16, from Knutsford, achieved one 9, seven 8s, one 7 and two 6s and hopes her studies will lead to a degree in architecture.

Duke of Edinburgh award holder Millie Swallow-Oakes, 16, from Knutsford, gained two 9s, five 7s, one 6 and one 5 and says she wants to eventually 'work on boats.'

Jenson Baldwin, 16, from Knutsford, achieved one 9, four 8s, two 6s and one 5 and wants to be a ‘successful entrepreneur’.

Overall, King's results were up on last year and the best since 2014.

Altogether 43 per cent of all grades were at grades 9 and 8, 64 per cent were between 9 and 7 and more than 81 per cent were between 9 and 6.

A third of pupils got at least 9 between 9 and 7 and three quarters of pupils achieved a 9 or 8 in at least one subject.

Jason Slack, King's head of foundation, said: "We all feel incredibly proud of this year's GCSE students.

“Their results represent the best externally awarded grades for nine years and are fully deserved by a committed cohort, particularly against a national picture of a significant decline in the number of top grades.

"We believe our inspirational setting and stimulating, highly professional teaching have helped our young people to reach the highest academic standards, but we appreciate their strength of character and hard work are the major factors.

“I have no doubt they will go on to greatness in the future.

"Our Knutsford boys and girls were among our very highest flyers."