A HEADTEACHER has paid tribute to staff and pupils as she completes her final exam results day.

Alison Burrowes has been through 11 GCSE and A Level D-Days in her time as head of Thornleigh Salesian College but is set to hand over the reigns.

The school celebrated a successful set of results with 73 percent of students achieving a 4 or more in English and Maths and 48 percent at Grade 5 or above.

There were also some remarkable individual performances from the Year 11 pupils with over 75 of the top grade 9 results being awarded.

Mrs Burrowes said: “I want to pay tribute to the staff whose relentless determination to ensure that every student achieved their personal best has paid off.

“I also want to say a huge congratulations to the students who have worked so hard and aspired to achieve the highest grades possible.”

She went on to thank the parents and carers who have helped to support the school over her last five years in charge and was “delighted” that the majority of GCSE students are set to return next year to study at Thornleigh Sixth Form

She added: “I’m delighted that, as I retire as head teacher of Thornleigh Salesian College, that the school is in such a good place.

“After 11 GCSE and A-level result days I’m excited about the future projects that I’m going to embark on.”

Among the success stories were Iman Nadeem, who achieved four of the highest grade 9 results, and Nat Entwistle, who managed five.

Nat, 16, will go on to study chemistry, biology, philosophy and maths at Runshaw College.

He said he was “really excited” about his results and hopes to go on to study medicine and become a doctor.