HARD work has paid off for students at Lowton CE High School as they received the school's best ever set of GCSE results.

The school is celebrating a massive 10 per cent increase in top line results from last year, with 64 per cent of its students achieving at least five GCSE grades between A* to C including English and maths.

Head teacher Julian Pollard, who took over the reins at the school two years ago, described today’s results as ‘phenomenal’.

He said: “It is clear that our students have surpassed expectations and they succeeded because we care.

“Our staff body is truly dedicated – our teachers deliver high quality teaching and continually go the extra mile.

“We have a firmly embedded discipline system where no learning time is lost in the classroom.

“As a church school our Christian values form the core of everything we do and our pastoral system is second to none."

Among those jumping for joy this morning was top performing student Daniel Hatton, who gained eight A*s and two As.

Daniel, who is going on to study at Winstanley College, said: “I would not have got these results without the support I have received at Lowton. The teachers are always with you and they have given me lots of support.

“The school has given every opportunity to prepare well for the exams, with lunchtime and after-school revision sessions every day.”

Nathan Kenyon is also over the moon with his results and says he is ‘ really grateful’ for the support he has received at the school.

He said: “Two years ago I was not expected to sit any exams because of my progress, but today I got eight GCSEs, which is fantastic.

“I am really grateful for everything the teachers have done for me. I decided to put my head down and work and they gave me all the encouragement I needed.”