ONE year on from taking over the helm of Beamont Collegiate Academy, principal Andy Moorcroft says he has faith that, this year, the school will continue to improve and emulate the success of the previous academic year.

Staff and students at the academy on Long Lane celebrated some of its best results to date when the GCSE marks were revealed in the summer.

With annual examination scores improving by an average of 15 per cent per subject at the school, Mr Moorcroft said he is committed to 'keeping the momentum going'.

He said: "What is great from my point of view is that it is a friendly place to be and work and staff morale is really strong at the moment. They are a very determined team here."

Subjects including art, history, French, geography, dance, music and additional science all topped the charts with students securing the best results yet.

Mr Moorcroft, who spent the majority of his career as an English teacher, was also delighted by the results with 39 per cent of students achieving at least one A or A* grade and 88.2 per cent gaining five GCSEs or equivalent at A* to C grades.

The former vice-principal at Ormiston Bolingbroke Academy added that he was proud the school had helped year 11 pupil Rose Warburton storm to victory to be elected a member of Youth Parliament for Warrington.

"It has been great and very positive and everyone has worked hard - both the staff and pupils," he added.

Last year's pupil attendance level was the highest in the school's history and the school also recorded the lowest rate of exclusions, which he put down to the pupils' excellent behaviour

It hasn't all been plain sailing after the plans to build a new £10.7 million school premises on the land where the school currently stands were turned down by the council.

But Mr Moorcroft remains hopefully and said the school will continue to fight to make sure the school receives the green light to build the facilities its pupils and staff deserve.