Ref. 71927-3 Pupils Becky Denning, left, Michelle Steers and Leanne RichmondGGCSE RESULTS: AFTER a sleepless night of worry, pupils at Hreod Parkway were celebrating another rise in the school's GCSE pass rate.

Shrieks of joy emanated from the school hall as envelopes were nervously opened.

Top of the class was Michelle Steers, 16, who notched up an impressive five A*s, five As and one B grade.

Michelle, of Taw Hill, said: "I was shocked when I saw my results, I just froze. I couldn't believe it."

She will now go on to study four A levels at New College in art, business studies, history and one other which she has yet to decide.

Another pupil with a reason to celebrate was Becky Denning of Haydon Wick, who gained eight As, one B and two Cs.

"I'm not really surprised," she said. "I was predicted these grades, so I'm very relieved."

She wants to be a vet and will start at Cirencester College in September to begin four A-levels in maths, physics, biology and chemistry.

Headteacher Andrew Fleet said: "Hreod Parkway has been pleased to see standards rising year on year and this year our overall pass rate has risen significantly.

"This year we particularly celebrate the reduction in pupils leaving without qualifications."