STUDENTS were jumping for joy yesterday as an Astley school recorded the best A-level results in its history.

St Mary's Catholic High School and Sixth Form College's class of 2016 achieved a 99.8 per cent A* to E grade pass rate, with 53.6 per cent of grades being A*s or As, 71.1 per cent falling in the A* to B category and 89 per cent passing the national benchmark A* to C standard.

More than 40 students at the Manchester Road school achieved at least three A* or A grades.

Head teacher Andrew Dawson, said: “The results that the students have achieved are outstanding due to their ability, hard work and determination.

“We all know though that natural ability needs to be nurtured, challenged and channelled and I would like to thank all the staff within the school who have supported our students academically and pastorally.

“These results are the key to enable our students to confidently take their next step in life to university, further training or work.

“I am very proud of the fact that in the last five years every student who has applied to university through St Mary’s has gained a place.”

Adam Robinson, director of the sixth form, said: “St Mary’s sixth form is very much an inclusive community, with 36 different subjects and qualifications on offer to enable all students to find the right course to become successful.

“We work to celebrate the success of every student.

“Each qualification is a recognition both of two years' hard work for the student and two years' support and challenge from the school.”

The sixth form attracts students from both St Mary’s Catholic High School and other partner schools within Astley and Tyldesley.