ST. Ambrose College students A-ced their GCSEs to register record results at the Hale Barns Catholic Grammar School.

An impressive 61 per cent of all grades were either A* or A up from 52 per cent the previous year with the A* to C pass rate increasing to 98.2 per cent from 97.1 per cent.

Pictured on the back row are linguist and scientist Gregor Hutchinson, 16, from Mobberley who got eight A*s and three A grades; Deputy Youth Commissioner of Scouts scout Will Taylor, 16, from Timperley, who 11 straight A*s; top musician Sean Henry, 16, from Timperley, with 10 A*s and one A; local league football referee; Freddie Gent, 16, from Sale, who got 11 A*s; Dominic Wardell, 16, from Altrincham, who got 10 A*s and one A and Nicholas Royle, 16, from Mobberley, who got a clean sweep of 11 A*s.

On the front row are: talented pianist William Staunton, 16, from Sale who got 10 A*s and one A; Myles O'Driscoll, 16, from Hale who got eight A*s and three As; Madu Gadzama, 16, from Hazel grove, who got 11 A*s and is aiming to go to Oxford University; Harry Brown, 16, from Altrincham, who got nine A*s and two As and skilled footballer Patrick O'Callaghan, 16, from Urmston, who got eight A*s and three As.

St. Ambrose College headmaster Michael Thompson said: “It's important to stretch the brightest minds and our young men have clearly enjoyed and risen to the challenges set.”