THERE were highs and lows for teenagers in Prestwich and Whitefield on Thursday.

The summer-long wait for GCSE results came to an end, as pupils went along to collect their grades from school.

Reports and results round-up will appear here

Extra lessons had paid off at St Monica's RC High School where all exams were passed at grade A* to G.

The school saw 79 per cent of pupils gain five A* to Cs, a result attributed to the success of its after school "Five O'Clock Club".

And bucking the national trend boys did better than girls.

Headteacher Frank McCarron said: "I'm absolutely delighted with the results and they are thoroughly deserved for the hard working staff and students. The extra lessons have certainly done the trick."

St Monica's pupil Madelaine Riley (16) was left speechless after discovering she gained one of the top five marks in the country for science and in the top five per cent for French.

Madelaine, of Ladythorn Avenue, Rainsough, gained nine A*s and one B. She said: "I am so surprised, especially about passing art. I genuinely believed I had failed. I just do not know what to say."

She now plans to study English literature, French, Spanish and maths at A-level.

Fellow classmate Luke Riley (16), of Cotswold Close, Prestwich, was also stunned to discover he was in the top five per cent of the country with his A* in science.

Luke, who gained six A*s and three As, plans to study maths, psychology, computing and business studies at college.

He said: "I am just completely shocked, especially with my results in French and maths because the exams were so hard. I was not too sure what to expect so I am really chuffed. I am going to be doing some celebrating tonight!"

Boys also did best at Prestwich High, where half of all students gained five or more grades at A* to C.

The school attributes boys' success to special teaching methods aimed at them.

Headteacher Geoff Barlow said: "The results are a tremendous achievement, not only for the students but also their teachers, and deserve recognition.

"Obviously we want to congratulate every student, but the fact that boys have done so well is particularly significant following our efforts."

It was the reverse at Parrenthorn High, where girls did particularly well, with 70 per cent achieving five A* to Cs.

Less than 40 per cent of boys equalled their achievement, with the overall figure at 53 per cent.

Of particular note was 16-year-old Sophie Charara, of Randlesham Street, Prestwich, who gained nine A* and two A grades.

Headteacher Mick Fitzgerald said: "We are very pleased with the girls' performance."

At Philips High there were particularly good results in English, maths and modern languages, with pass rates at C or above at more than 60 per cent.

The A* to C pass rate for all subject areas was expected to near this figure, with final statistics still being calculated yesterday.

Headteacher Mr Chris Trees said: "It's as much about what pupils can overcome to reach a particular point as the actual grades that they get.

"We're very pleased with the grades as a whole and very happy to be performing at such a high standard in key subject areas."

There were pleasing results for Elms Bank Community High Special School where four pupils gained C grades and one a D grade.

Students Laura Clegg and Paul Hughes had "marvellous results", gaining three GCSEs and six Entry Level Certificates.

Other high schools in the borough provided their expertise in particular subject areas.

Headteacher Ms Lynn Lines said: "Congratulations should go to all pupils and staff at Elms Bank, Radcliffe Federation, and Broad Oak High for their hard work and support."

At Castlebrook High in Unsworth, the percentage at A to C was in the upper 40s, although an exact figure had yet to to be worked out.

Headteacher John Gannon said: "There have been some very pleasing results for the more able students and overall pupils are performing at or above the standard we are expecting."