STAR achievers at St James’s High School were all smiles on results day.

Pupil Umar Hatia got 10 A*s and one A and said he was “really happy” with his results.

The 16-year-old, from Daubhill, added: “I am relieved. It has been hard work but worth it.

“It is a really good school here and the teachers have all put a lot of effort in to us all to make sure we were prepared.”

Umar is going to Bolton School sixth form to study biology, chemistry, maths and economics with an aim of becoming a dentist or working in medicine.

High-achiever Ayaz Khan was another star performer with nine A*s and two As and will be furthering her education at Runshaw College.

Ayaz, from Great Lever, said: “I am relieved, but I am still in anticipation as I have a re-mark – I was one mark off an A* in psychology.

“I put in a lot of hard work so I think I got the results I deserved.

“I have really evolved at school and it has changed me, it has been really good.”

Student Jestin Abraham would like to go into engineering which she will be studying at Runshaw College after achieving eight A*s and three As. She said: “I am in shock. I had worked hard but didn’t know what to expect with the grade barriers. I will miss the friendly environment here.”

Emily Russell said she was also “very happy” with her seven A*s and As.

She said: “I did expect to do well but I didn’t expect to get the grades I did in the subjects I have as some that I thought I had done badly in I got the best grade.”

Emily, from Stoneclough, is also going to Runshaw College, but not before celebrating with her family.