THE headteacher of Stretford High School has paid tribute to her GCSE pupils for excelling in the revamped exams system.

Headteacher Nicola Doward said: "I could not be prouder today – after all of the hard work from pupils, parents and teachers, the GCSE results for the class of 2017 are in.

"Despite changes to exams in English and maths, despite the national pass rate falling, despite the multitude of changes to the system – our pupils have smashed it.

"Yet again, we have improved the percentage of pupils achieving strong passes – the new way of referring to grades B or above."

She added: "We are very proud of all of our students in the Class of 2017.

"Particular congratulations go to Hunaida, who achieved a grade 9 in Maths, English Language and English Literature - a feat only accomplished by two per cent of students nationally.

"Our top 10 students achieved 79 of these elusive grade 9 between them."