Results based on information from 46 of 47 Derbyshire schools has seen 63 per cent of students achieving at least five A* to C grade GCSEs — a five per cent increase on last year.

In the new national benchmark of five higher grades including English and maths, 50 per cent of youngsters made the grade – up by three per cent.

Shirebrook School achieved its best ever results as 46 per cent of pupils scored five or more A* to C grades.

Headteacher Mrs Chris Parker said: "We are all delighted with the results. All the strategies we have put in place are showing year-on-year improvements and each year the examination results have gone up.

"This year we have beaten our target by seven per cent."

Three students had outstanding achievements with Warren Stevenson coming in the top ten out of 3,138 students in his applied art and design double award GCSE while Year Nine students Ben Allsop and Michael Goodwin scored A*s in French and music respectively.

At Brookfield School in Chesterfield 76 per cent of students scored five A* to C grades – the highest in the school's history – with 65 per cent achieving the five including English and maths.

Eight students passed with all As and A*s.

Headteacher Russell Barr said: "These excellent results are testament to the ongoing hard work and dedication of students and staff."

Netherthorpe School in Staveley also received its best ever GCSE results, with 63 per cent of students gaining five A* to Cs.

Headteacher Pamela Hedley said: "I am particularly pleased that so many students are able to go on to do what they want."

Natalie Hiller did particularly well, coming in the top ten in the country in her textiles GCSE.

At Eckington School 66 per cent of students achieved five A* to Cs, with 51 per cent achieving the benchmark including English and maths.

Nearly ten per cent of Year 11 pupils at St Mary's RC High School in Chesterfield passed their GCSEs with all A* and A grades, with a total of 19 youngsters achieving these results.

One of the star students at Mount St Mary's School in Spinkhill was Joseph Jackson from Clowne who scored eight A* and three As to go with the A* in statistics he gained last year.

Bakewell's Lady Manners School saw almost 80 per cent of students passing with five or more A* to C grades, with 27 youngsters getting an A or A* in every subject they sat and Hannah Cook attaining an A* in every subject.

Duncan Meikle, headteacher, said: "We are delighted with these excellent results. Students have worked hard and deserve their successes — many congratulations to all concerned."