STUDENTS across East Lancashire were celebrating after the number achieving A* to C grades increased despite national results showing a decline.

Schools across East Lancashire recorded some of their best ever results, while across the Lancashire County Council authority 61 per cent achieved at least the five A* to C grades, which is up two per cent from last year.

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Nationally this year’s results have shown the biggest ever year-on-year decline from 69 per cent achieving A* to C to 66.9 per cent.

Bacup and Rawtenstall Grammar School recorded its best ever GCSE results with all students achieving five or more grades A* to C. More than two-thirds of all grades were A* and A - an increase of five per cent on the previous year.

Headteacher Alan Porteous said: “Clearly these excellent results have not been achieved without the dedication and hard work of both our students and staff, and we congratulate them on their achievements.”

Blessed Trinity Roman Catholic College in Burnley was also celebrating as more students achieved top grades in English and maths than ever before.

There was an increase in A and A*s in both maths and English while 84 per cent of students exceeded their expected progress in English.

Head Richard Varey said: “We have placed a big emphasis on our English and maths studies and we are delighted to see an improvement shown by an impressive set of results in those subjects.”

Another to achieve best ever GCSE results was Shuttleworth College in Padiham.

Headteacher Ruth England said the percentage of students making better than expected progress has more than doubled in English and significantly improved in maths.

“As well as collectively, we have some fantastic individual results with many students making better than expected progress in a whole range of subjects,” she said.

Sir John Thursby Community College in Burnley also achieved its best ever GCSE results.

In computing, 100 per cent achieved A* to C with 76 per cent achieving A* or A grades.

Headteacher David Burton said: “I congratulate pupils, parents and staff on their success in English, Maths, other subjects and in areas as diverse as the Duke of Edinburgh Award and our Gold Artsmark.”

Another college boasting best ever results was Pendle Vale in Nelson.

More than half of students got five or more good passes at C or better including English and maths.

Headteacher Steve Wilson said: “The students and staff worked incredibly hard throughout the five years and many students have achieved outstanding individual results.”

Results for Hameldon Community College in Burnley showed progress in English was one of the best features of the school.

Headteacher Gill Broom said: “Once again this year’s results are a testimony to the partnership working of students, staff, families and the governing body,” she said.

All Saints Catholic High School in Rawtenstall saw 86 per cent make expected levels of progress in English with 72 per cent achieving A* to C in English.

Meanwhile Colne Park High School recorded its best ever results with 68 per cent achieving A* to C grades in English and mathematics.

Headteacher Dr Paul Parkin said: “Our GCSE results continue year-on-year to show consistently high standards and this reflects the dedication and hard work shown by our students, the commitment of our staff and the tremendous support from our parents.”

Alder Grange in Rawtenstall achieved the best GCSE results for four years with 58 per cent of students gaining five A* to C grades including English and Maths.

David Hampson headteacher said: “I think the students progressing to our sixth form are academically the strongest set we’ve ever had.”

Marsden Heights in Nelson saw 37 per cent of students achieved A* to C grades in English and Mathematics while Ss John Fisher and Thomas More RC High School in Colne saw more than 70 per cent achieve a pass in maths while 13 pupils achieved five or more A* and A grades. More than 46 pupils in total achieved at least one A* or A grade.

Headteacher Clare Hayes said: “The levels of progress made by our pupils in a strong and varied curriculum continues to be strong feature of our school where we allow the bright colours of all our pupils, irrespective of ability, to shine.”

Colne Primet Academy saw improvements in English, geography and drama with the pass rate doubling from last year.

Principal Lynne Blomley said: “We are incredibly proud of all our students, who have used the individual support, guidance and enrichment opportunities here at Primet to achieve their potential.”

At Haslingden High School, 20 per cent of all grades were awarded at A* and A.

Headteacher Mark Jackson said: “I would like to congratulate our students on achieving some excellent GCSE results, the culmination of much hard work from both staff and students.”

At Whitworth Community High School 64 per cent of students celebrated five or more GCSEs at grades A* to C with 77 per cent of students gaining A* to C grades in English Language.

And at Westholme School in Blackburn, which takes girls from across East Lancashire, more than 45 per cent achieved grades at A* and A while14 per cent of pupils achieved all A* and A grades.

Principal Mrs Horner said students, “have worked diligently and maintained a positive commitment to other areas of school life throughout”.

Clitheroe Royal Grammar School saw more than 89 per cent achieve A* to B grades.

Judith Child, headteacher said: “We are very proud of our students and our staff and know how hard everyone has worked to achieve these impressive results.”

Results for St Augustine’s RC High School in Billington show 71 per cent of the pupils achieved the benchmark figure of A*-C grades in English and Maths.