GCSE students at the Bishops’ Blue Coat Church of England High School in Chester are once again smiling!

Parents and staff are also full of smiles as this remarkable group look to the future with hard won and well-deserved results.

This has been the most difficult of academic years yet the doors to post-16 study at the school's Sixth form or further training or college courses are wide open.

Yasmin French, head of Year 11 said, “I could not be prouder of the achievements of our Year 11 students. The tenacity they have shown whilst rising to the academic challenges of their GCSE journeys shows what successful people they are and will continue to be.

"They have made themselves, their families and their school very proud, I am so excited for the futures that lay ahead for them.”

The school is well known for great results and a strong focus on support and mutual respect. Many are celebrating personal achievements, including:

Emily Bromley attaining grade 9s across all subjects in English Language, English Literature, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, German, History, Psychology and RS.

Molly McCullagh attaining nine grade 9s in English language and English Literature, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Computer Science, History, RS and one grade 8 in German.

Benjamin Jones attaining four grade 9s in English Language, Mathematics, Computer Science and History and five grade 8s in English Literature, French, Combined Science and RS.

Megan Slatcher attaining six grade 9s in English Language, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, French, History, the equivalent of a grade 8 in music (Distinction*2), grade 8 in English Literature and grade 7s in Physics and RS.

Anya Smith attaining six grade 9s in English Language, Biology, History, Drama, Psychology, RS, and four grade 8s in English Literature, Mathematics, Chemistry and Physics.

Jay Elms attaining 3 grade 9s in mathematics, German and physics, two grades the equivalent of grade 9s in Engineering and Sports Studies, three grade 8s in English Language, Biology and Chemistry and two grade 7s in English Literature and RS.

Amy Sasaki-Fletcher attaining four grade 9s, in English Language, Mathematics, Chemistry, and French, five grade 8s English Literature, Biology, Physics, History and Art & Design and one grade 7 in RS.

Lizzie Gray attaining five grade 9s in English Language, Geography, Combined Science and Food & Nutrition, three grade 8s in Mathematics, History and RS and one grade 7 in English Literature.

Those making exceptional progress over time included:

Ellen McGuigan who achieved four grade 9s, one grade 8, one grade 7 and three grade 6s in English Language, English Literature, German, History, RS, Psychology, Mathematics and Combined Science, respectively.

Denis Komarovs who achieved one grade 9, one Distinction*2, three grade 8s, five grade 7s and one grade 6 in Mathematics, Engineering, Biology, German, Russian, English Literature, Chemistry, Physics, History, RS and English Language, respectively.

Jamie Moore who achieved one grade 9, one Distinction*2, two grade 8s, one grade 7-6 and three grade 6s in geography, computer science, RS, Engineering, Combined Science, English Language, English Literature and Mathematics, respectively.

Anna Welland who achieved one grade 9, two Distinction*2, one grade 9-8, two grade 8s and two grade 6s and one grade 6 in German, Combined Science, Engineering, ICT, Mathematics, RS, English Language and English Literature, respectively.

Felicity Hodgson who achieved two grade 9s, five grade 8s and two grade 7s in English language, History, English Literature, Combined Science, Art & Design, RS, Mathematics and German, respectively.

Aleksander Novak who achieved five grade 7s, one grade 6-5, one grade 6, and one grade 5 in English language, Geography, German, History, RS, Combined Science, English Literature and Mathematics, respectively.

Headteacher, Ian Wilson, recognised the unique partnership between parents, students and staff.

He said: “In a year like no other, Bishops’ students have once again shown their resilience, stamina and talent.

"These entirely justified results reflect how hard students have worked, they should be immensely proud of what they have achieved. They are an absolute credit to themselves, their families and our school."