HEADTEACHERS have paid tribute to hard-working students after youngsters across the borough got their GCSE results.

There were nails bitten, screams of delight and tears of joy as students opened those magic envelopes at the school gates today.

Bury Grammar School for Boys celebrated its third successive year of improvement, as 94 per cent of pupils got at least five GCSEs at C or above, including English and maths.

Two boys, Ali Chalabi and Jonathan McCay, got A*s in all 10 of their subjects and all of the school's music students got As or above.

Headteacher Richard Marshall said: "The boys should be very proud of their achievements.

"I would like to thank our talented and committed staff for their hard work, our parents for their support and I am pleased to join with them in celebrating the boys' successes."

At Bury Grammar School for Girls, 59 per cent of all grades were at A or above and 24 pupils got at least nine grades at A or above.

Headmistress Jo Anderson said: "I could not be more proud of our pupils, who have worked extremely hard to achieve these outstanding results in some demanding subjects.

"We are confident this is a year group with a very bright future ahead of them.

"These grades also highlight the dedication of their teachers who are utterly committed to empowering our girls to succeed."

Castlebrook High School enjoyed its best ever GCSE results, with 60 per cent of pupils getting at least five GCSEs at C or above, including English and maths, compared with 48 per cent last year.

The school's acting headteacher Sue Armstrong said: "This is just reward for the tremendous hard work put in by the fantastic team here.

"Regardless of the challenges we have had to face this academic year, we knew we were a good school and we were determined to secure the best possible future life chances for our learners."

There was good news too at Woodhey High School in Ramsbottom, where 74 per cent of pupils got at least five GCSEs at C or above, including English and maths

Headteacher Brian Roadnight said: "These were our best results for four years.

"Congratulations to all of our pupils who have achieved an excellent set of results this year. We are proud of every one of them."

The Derby High School also enjoyed an improvement, with 58 per cent of students gaining at least five Cs in English and maths, compared with 51 per cent last year.

Headteacher Helen Hubert said she was pleased that, under a new measure called Progress 8, pupils at the school got at least a third of a grade higher than those of a similar ability.

She added: "We are proud of the achievements of all our students.

"They aim high and work hard and are extremely well supported by a team of talented and dedicated staff.

"Our students leave us with qualifications, skills and experiences that will give them a positive start to the next stage of their education.”

At Tottington High School, 58 per cent of children got at least five GCSEs at C or above, including English and maths.

Headteacher Brian Duffy said: "We are delighted with our set of results, and students and staff should take pride in their efforts this past year and over the last five years.

"Our students have been excellent all year in their approach and dedication to their studies.

“Staff have been tireless in their work with each individual student to assist them in realising their full potential.

"We wish all of our Year 11 students every success at college or whatever path they choose to take."

There were plenty of success stories at St Gabriel's RC High School in Bury, where Isabella Middleton, aged 16, of Rochdale, got two As and eight A*s and her classmate Jack Murray, aged 16, of Tottington, got one A*, six As and two Bs.

Deputy headteacher Adam Loster said: "We are delighted to share in the success of our students as they fulfil and, in many cases, exceed their potential.

"St Gabriel's students, who have worked so closely with staff, parents and carers, can take great pride in these excellent achievements."