Keighley-district schools are celebrating record-breaking GCSE results.

Oakbank headteacher, David Maxwell, said his school’s figures were the best ever.

“What makes the achievement of our students even more impressive is that these results have been earned against a national picture of tougher exams and higher standards than ever before,” he said.

“I am immensely proud of all of our students, and I thank them as well as their teachers and parents, who have supported them every step of the way.

“These results mean more students than ever before are entering our rapidly growing sixth form, and then going on to some of the top universities, including the prestigious Russell Group of 25 leading universities and Oxford/Cambridge.”

It is the third year in succession Oakbank’s results have improved.

Top performers included Sam Todd, with 11 A* to A grades, and Saqalain Miah, who chalked-up ten.

Nine A* to A grades were achieved by Sohail Ali and Samatha Strickland.

University Academy Keighley said it was delighted with its results.

A total of 45 per cent of students gained five A* to C grades, with English and maths.

Principal, Linda Wallsgrove, said: “Although the headline figure is a little lower than last year, it masks our best-ever results in mathematics at A* to C, which are seven per cent up on last year to 59 per cent – a superb improvement.

“Our hardworking students and dedicated staff can be rightly proud of their achievements.

“These results come hot on the heels of our best-ever A-level results, demonstrating our students are making good progress and reaching our high expectations at all levels. The figures cement last year’s significant improvement, and demonstrate UAK’s commitment to the success of every student.”

Among the outstanding performers were Mohammed Omar Rauf, who gained seven A* and six A grades, and Juwayriyya Malik, with seven A*s and three As.

At South Craven School, in Cross Hills, more than 97 per cent of the 274 students achieved five or more A* to C grades, compared to the national average of 70 per cent.

Headteacher, Dr Andrew Cumm-ings, said: “The results, which surpass last year’s achievement, are testimony to the hard work of students and staff and the school’s high aspirations for every student.

“We are particularly pleased with our GCSE mathematics and science results – 78 per cent of students passed mathematics with a C or above, whilst 84 per cent achieved two A* to C grades in science.”

Top individuals included Sarah Fretwell, with eight A*s and three As; Jamie Coward, who gained six A*s, four As and a B, and Samuel Broughton, with four A*s, four As and two A*/A distinctions.

And there was a notable performance from Michael Roxas, who – despite only relocating to England from the other side of the world at the start of year ten – still managed to achieve an A*, five As, two A*/A distinctions plus a B in English.

Shayne Toy, assistant headteacher, who led year 11 last year, said: “All the students should be proud of their achievements. They continue to prove that hard work, a positive attitude and practice are rewarded by excellent results.”

Holy Family School in Keighley saw a record 62 per cent of students gain five or more passes at A* to C, including English and maths.

Headteacher, Lawrence Bentley, said: “This represents a superb effort by the students and staff.

“It has been well documented that measures have been put in place to make GCSEs harder, so to buck the national trend and continue to improve our results has been extremely pleasing.

“There have been a number of outstanding performances in the year group, too numerous to mention. Well done to them all.”