STUDENTS at a high school in Hartford are celebrating a year of record-breaking GCSE success after achieving the school's highest ever strong pass rates in English and maths.
Hartford CofE High School also said 45 per cent of its pupils achieved at least one top grade between 7 and 9, with head teacher Rachel Pickerill praising the 'dedication and resilience' shown by the class of 2026.
She said: "We are immensely proud of our students today.
"Their results reflect the ambition of our school where, over the past few years, standards across the board have consistently improved.
"These year 11 students have been an absolute pleasure to educate during the course of their time here.
"They have shown dedication, resilience, hard work and commitment both within and beyond the classroom."
Among the top performers was senior prefect Alfie Dillon, from Winnington, who achieved an impressive six grade nines and five grade eights.
The 16-year-old's strongest subjects were maths and further maths, where he scored 285 out of 300 and 153 out of 160 respectively.
Asked about his results, he said: "Yeah, I'm pretty happy with that."
His parents, Catherine and James Dillon, said they 'couldn't be more proud'.
Alfie will continue his studies at Sir John Deane's Sixth Form College, taking A-levels in maths, further maths, and physics.
He will celebrate with two family meals before jetting off on holiday to Tunisia, having already visited Turkiye, Spain, and Cornwall this summer.
Also celebrating was Ruby Stanway, who admitted she was 'shaking like a leaf' before opening her results envelope.
The 16-year-old exceeded her own expectations, achieving five grade 9s and five grade 8s.
She said: "I am honestly stunned.
"I thought I was getting 5s in all my sciences, but I got a 9 in biology and 8s in chemistry and physics."
Ruby plans to spend the remainder of the summer 'catching up on a lot of sleep, uninterrupted by stress' before deciding on her A-level options, which could include history, English language, and biology.
Her parents, Jane and Alistair Stanway, praised both their daughter and the support provided by the school.
They said: "She has worked so hard and consistently.
"She absolutely deserves all of her success.
"The support here at Hartford High has been absolutely second to none.
"It is nothing like when we were at school."
Benton Tong was joined by his parents, sister, and grandparents, who travelled from Hong Kong to share the occasion with him.
The science enthusiast, who joined the school in year eight, was particularly pleased to secure a grade 9 in English language alongside a strong set of other results.
The 16-year-old described himself as 'quite satisfied' with his grades and will now move on to Sir John Deane's to study biology, chemistry and maths.
He said: "After here, we're going for some good food in Manchester.
"I think I get to pick today, or at least I hope I will, so we'll be having sashimi."
Elsewhere, talented footballer Nate Warren, from Winsford, is heading to Everton Football Club's academy to study a BTEC in sports development.
The Manchester United supporter hopes the opportunity will help him achieve his dream of becoming a professional footballer.
Reflecting on securing a place, he said: "I went for an opening evening with my mum, which was basically just playing a lot of football with the coaches."
Meanwhile, Ellie Lewis, from Nantwich, celebrated achieving a grade 7 in religious education and a Level 2 Distinction in music before rushing off to Liverpool to enrol on an acting course at Liverpool Media Academy.
Ellie, who played Helena in the school's production of A Midsummer Night's Dream, paid tribute to music teacher, Zena Philippou.
She said: "She is always there for you, and so positive.
Her criticism as a music teacher is always so constructive, and she runs so many after-school activities in her own time."
Ellie's mother, Rachel Lewis, added: "I'm delighted with her results and excited for her future.
"You absolutely have to follow your dreams.
"Go for it and regret nothing."
The Class of 2026 will now move on to sixth forms, colleges, apprenticeships, and specialist training programmes, with school leaders crediting students, staff and families for another exceptional year of results.
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