CRANFORD Community College recorded its best ever GCSE results despite grades falling nationally for the first time in 24 years.

Two thirds of pupils (66 per cent) achieved five or more A*-C grades including English and maths, with that figure rising to 86 per cent including all subjects.

More than a quarter (26 per cent) of all grades were A* or A.

Headteacher Kevin Prunty said: "We are delighted that our year 11 students have, like their A-level colleagues last week, established a new record at GCSE, with a pleasing 66% achieving five or more A*-C grades including English and maths.

"This great achievement will be significantly higher when credit is given to all those who deserve it in English language."

He was referring to concerns about grading for English language exams, with results nationally well down on those predicted by teachers.

Star pupils at the school include:

Vishnu Kaushik 11A*s, 2As

Fatima Mahmood 9A*s, 3As

Alham Ahmad 6A*s, 6As

Akash Mair 6A*s, 5As

Siman Salah 6A*s, 5As

Daud Jaleel 5A*s, 5As

Dilpreet Sidhu 4A*s, 8As

Manisha Bangar 3A*s, 9As

Mohamed Hiyati 3A*s, 8As

Alice Thompson 3A*s, 7As