PUPILS at The Grange School in Hartford bucked the national trend and smashed every previous school record in posting outstanding performances this summer.

Almost 60 per cent of results were awarded A* grades, and 89 per cent were awarded either A or A*.

No fewer than 18 of the 102 students gained a full set of A* grades, with 59 in total scoring nothing less than an A grade.

Most impressive was the performance of the first group of Grange students to sit Further Maths GCSE: 16 of the 19 students gained A* distinctions, with Alice Gooda from Chester one of only 11 students in the whole of England to score full marks.

Headmaster Chris Jeffery said: "These results represent a phenomenal performance, setting new records by every worthwhile measure.

"We thought that if would be impossible to surpass the record of the 2010 cohort, but this group have done just that.

"We are deeply proud of the young people who have worked with such evident commitment and determination.

"It is also important to remember that beneath these terrific statistics are very many stories of pupils both achieving and surpassing their potential, thanks to the skill and motivation of their teachers: on average pupils achieved three-quarters of a grade in each subject more than their measured potential.”