CREWE'S headteachers saluted the success of their students after recording outstanding GCSE results at all of the town's schools.

Excellence made obvious by the statistics at St Thomas More with 70 per cent of pupils achieving 5 or more A* to C grades and 22.4 percent at A* and A.

High standards of achievement went right across the ability range and 96 per cent earned at least one C.

"The results were achieved through the hard work and positive approach of the pupils, the expertise and commitment of the staff and the support and encouragement of the parents," said Ron Steele.

"Congratulations and good wishes to the pupils for a job well done. These results will be a firm foundation for the future."

Outstanding results in Information Technology were particularly pleasing for Victoria Community Technology School.

"Hard, consistent effort and strong support from home is really the key to success in these vital examinations.

I am delighted to see hard work rewarded, with many achieving beyond their expectations," said explained Greg Brown.

"Some of our high flyers have managed to achieve top grade in as many as ten and a half subjects this time, the extra 'half' coming from our short course in Religious Education, which pupils have been able to take for the very first time.

"As a designated Technology School, we are, of course, thrilled with our results in Information Technology (ICT), which have been nothing less than outstanding."

Nearly all students at Ruskin High were rewarded with at least 5 GCSE passes.

Over half gained high grades and outstanding performers include Andrew Dean (4A*, 4A and 2B) and Laura Khan (2A*, 7A and 1B).

"Congratulations go to all our students who have worked hard and have been rewarded with commendable results with which to start their adult lives," said Phil Mottershead.

"They are upholding a school tradition for good examination performance which we hope will rise to even higher levels as Ruskin moves into a new era as a specialist Sports College."

King's Grove had its high-flyers with many going on to further education, largely in the town's South Cheshire College.

James Vickers (1A*,1A, 4B) is planning to study law and psychology in the Dane Bank facility while Sam Hassall (1A*,1A, 5B) takes A level history and business studies.

Robert Marks (2A, 2B, 3C) is off to take a modern apprenticeship in IT and Rhiannon Randle-Conde (2A, 3B, 3C) is considering her options.