Keighley students yesterday were celebrating outstanding GCSE results.

At South Craven School the overall pass rate was 98 per cent. The proportion of A* to C grades increased by two per cent to 52 per cent. Nine students achieved seven or more A*/A grades and 134 pupils obtained five or more A* to C passes.

The percentage of A* and A grades increased to over 13 per cent. Individual achievers included Louise Clark, who gained nine A* grades.

Deputy head David Birks is delighted with the results, which he says are a tribute to the hard work and dedication of the students and staff.

The school is now looking forward to welcoming a large number of students into the sixth form on registration day -- September 5.

Holy Family School and Oakbank, in Keighley, both recorded their best-ever results.

Almost 50 per cent of grades achieved at Holy Family were C or above, with the number of pupils achieving five or more passes leaping from 35 per cent last year to 44 per cent.

Head teacher Conor Davis says: "We can now look forward to the sixth form affiliation with Greenhead and the exciting new challenges ahead. The results are a tribute to the hard working staff, supportive parents and, especially, the students who have worked so hard to achieve this."

At Oakbank the pass rate for five A-Cs rose from 33 per cent last year to 42.4 per cent. More students than ever before achieved A-G passes.

Outstanding individual performers included Tim Hird, Kathryn Brown, Alix Shepherd, Isobel Dobson, Leah Roberts, Sarah Laycock, Rebecca Mansfield, Alex Austerberry, David Sloane and Sian Davis.

Head John Roberts congratulates pupils and staff. He adds: "The school has kept its eye on the ball of raising student achievement in spite of severe distractions this year that have -- intentionally or otherwise -- been very unsettling. We've been under a lot of pressure.

"Let's hope now these distractions will cease and that everyone will support the school to sustain these improvements for next year's young people."

Greenhead has maintained an improvement in results for the third year in succession.

Head teacher Miles Mizon says: "This year is a big improvement. There has been an increase of 10 per cent in the number of pupils entering and passing five GSCEs.

"In the overall points score there has been an increase from 22 last year to 28. I am very pleased."

At Keighley College there was a 61 per cent pass rate at A*-C, well ahead of the national average. There was strong achievement in English and maths, and eight of the 11 students taking GCSE Italian gained an A* or A grade.