LORETO Grammar School students rose to the challenge with another set of excellent GCSE results “in the face of a new and more testing examination profile.”

Girls at the top Altrincham Catholic grammar school achieved a record 42.6 per cent at grades 9 or 8, formerly A*; with 67 per cent grades 9,8 or 7, (A*to A); 88 per cent at grades 9 to 6 (A* to B) and 99 per cent grades 9 to4 (A*to C).

The Loreto girls showed a consistent level of exceptional ability across all subjects, whether in the Arts, Sciences or Humanities, with 39 girls achieving 10 results with grades at 9 to 7 and 70 girls achieved achieving eight or better results at grades 9 to 7.

Loreto Grammar School Headteacher, Jane Beever, said: “I am delighted with another set of outstanding results. Their achievements have come not by accident but by design and are testament to the hard work and commitment of girls and staff in the face of new and more testing examination profile.”

Some of stellar performers (pictured above): Rebecca Dunn, 16, from Sale, who got four 9s and six 8 grades and wants to be an environmental scientist.

Hanah Bassanino, 16, from Altrincham, who got four 9s and six 8s.

Niamh Browne, 16, from Altrincham, who got five 9s, one 8 and three 7s. Gemma Baxter, 16, from Warrington, who got four nines, four eights and one 7 and wants to study aerospace engineerin.

Top performer Jiya Jijo, 16, from Northwich, was one of only 732 students nationwide to get nine 9s.

Elinam Amegadzie, 16, from Blackley, got two 9s, four 8s and three 7s and wants to read Law.

Rioghnach Barlow, 16, from Stockport, got six 9s, two 8s and two 7s and wants to become a surgeon.

Linguist Daisy Benson, 16 from Sale, got four 9s, four 8s and two 7s. Millie Gilmartin, 16, from Stretford, got two 9s, three 8s and three 7s; Elizabeth Brady, 16, from Worsley, got six 8s and two 7s and wants to be a property surveyor and Alex Leonard, 16, from Sale got eight 9s and two 8s.