HARD work certainly equalled success for GCSE pupils – with some finding out they were among the brightest in the country under the new grading system.

The grading switch is part of wider reforms designed to make GCSEs more rigorous and challenging.

Maths in particular has more content, and in both subjects there has been a move away from coursework and pupils now sit all exams at the end of the two-year courses, rather than throughout.

Director of People, John Daly, said: “GCSE results day is always one of much celebration and it is important to acknowledge the achievement of our all our pupils in the borough. This year 66.7 per cent of students in Bolton gained Grade 4 or above in maths and 71.2 per cent gained grade 4 or above in English. While this is the beginning of a new system, many schools have made significant progress in these subjects.

“My congratulations to all our pupils for their hard work and endeavours, and I would also like to praise the efforts of all our schools and teachers for helping students achieve to their potential.”

At Turton School in Bromley Cross, 83 per cent gained 4 and above in English, 77 per cent gained 4 or above in maths and 67 per cent gained five or more good GCSEs passes.

Sam Gorse, headteacher, said: “I’m incredibly proud of the excellent achievements of all of our GCSE students this year.

“Despite the unsettling changes to English and maths GCSE exams, Year 11 have shown real strength of character in their approach and attitude. Undeterred, they have worked hard and with determination, to achieve some amazing results. I’m delighted to see some of our students achieving the new top grade (9) in both English and maths.”

Canon Slade celebrated an increase in the number of pupils achieving the top grade. Under the old headline figure 80 per cent of pupils achieved five or more GCSEs including English and maths at grade C/4 or above. In English and English literature 83 per cent gained a grade 4 or better, and in maths that figure stood at 89 per cent.

Headteacher Alan Mottershead said: “Almost 39 per cent of all our GCSE entries this year were 9/8/7 and A* and A grades.

“This is a superb achievement, and must be close to the school record.

“These good results rely on the excellent work across more than 10 subjects for most students and are testimony also to the high quality of teaching and support which they have received.”

St James’ CE High School posted 83 per cent achieving the 4 and above in pupils getting English and maths. At Sharples School 71 per cent of pupils achieved 4 or above in maths. For English that result was 79 per cent — with 67 per cent achieving four and above in both subjects. Science again was a strong subject with 95 per cent of papers marked at A* to C.

Ann Webster, acting headteacher, said: “The level of performance in the other subjects has been very strong with a marked increase in the number of pupils achieving A*/A grades.

“We are proud of the very large number of our students who have met or exceeded the targets which have been set for them.”

At St Joseph’s RC School the numbers achieving the benchmark stood at 74 per cent.

Tony McCabe headteacher said: “We continue to take pride in each and every one of our students, and today we are delighted to celebrate with the class of 2017 as they receive their GCSE results. This is the first year of the reformed qualifications and 74% of our pupils have achieved grades 4 to 9 in both English and Maths. Staff take great pleasure in celebrating each pupil’s individual achievements. They are a credit to themselves, their families and to St. Joseph’s, and we wish them all every success in their future endeavours.”

Westhoughton High School recorded 58 per cent of pupils gaining grade 4 or above in maths and English.

Phil Hart, headteacher, said: “Success has had to be hard earned once again this year and I would like to congratulate all those directly and indirectly involved in another set of excellent results for the our students, who will now progress onto first choice pathways at college, or have secured a much sought after apprenticeship route.”

At Rivington and Blackrod High School, 56 per cent achieved the standard in maths and English. Ruth Hugill said: “There are a number of stand out performances with several student achieving the top grade 9 in English and/or maths but we are keen to congratulate all student on their individual success and achievements.”

Harper Green School posted 51 per cent of pupils achieving the benchmark in maths and English.

Sarah Cain, deputy head, said: “The results reflect the hard work and determination of the pupils. There were once again, some fantastic individual performances from pupils of all abilities.”

The ever cohort at UTC Bolton received their GCSE results with 68.5 per cent achieving four and above in English and maths.

Liam McDaid, acting principal, said: “I am delighted with our first set of GCSE results. I am pleased that our specialism subjects performed particularly well with triple science securing a 100 per cent pass rate. We also have a number of high achievers.”

Bolton St Catherine’s Academy celebrated an almost 100 per cent increase in its results with 36 per cent of students achieving the 4 or above in English and maths.

Vice Principal Mr Richard Senior said: “These results how a significant improvement on last year.

“This is particularly pleasing in the context of the changing and more challenging national picture for English and maths and is a real testament to the students and staff.”

Results were up at Kearsley Academy with 42 per cent of pupils achieving the new measure, an increase of 12 per cent on the last years’ ‘equivalent’.

Gavin Salvesen-Sawh, Executive Principal, said: “Members of staff have ‘moved mountains’ in enabling our young people to progress from the results of last year.

“There are some fantastic departmental and individual student results to celebrate.”

Every single pupil at Bolton School girls achieved five or more A* to C with nearly 60 per cent of grades being at A* to A.

Headmistress Sue Hincks said: ‘I am delighted by the girls’ excellent results, particularly in the ‘new’ English examinations.”

The percentage of boys achieving at least five or more A* to C grades stood at 98.5 per cent with 85 per cent achieving at least five A*to B grades.

Headmaster Mr Philip Britton said: “It is great to celebrate the exam results the boys have achieved today, with more A* and A grades this year than in the last four years.”

Alison Burrowes, headteacher of Thornleigh Salesian College, said: “All the hard work has paid off and we are delighted with the outcomes for our students.”