(Pictured: Thornleigh Salesian College Bolton)

Congratulations to Year 11 students at Salesian schools, and to their teachers, as they celebrate their GCSE results in the first year of major changes affecting the exams and grading for most subjects in England.

Students at St John Bosco Arts College in Croxteth, Liverpool, attained record breaking results, with many achieving grades of 9-7 in English, mathematics and science. The grading system changed for most subjects this year, so this is equivalent to the former top grades of A*-A. The overall pass rate for English and mathematics was 62.2% at grades 9-4, equivalent to the former grades A*-C.

Headteacher Darren Gidman, said: "I am very proud of all our students, who have worked extremely hard alongside our staff, as well as the support of parents and carers. While there have been major changes to GCSEs, our students have risen to the occasion and performed brilliantly." (Info: Foundry Agency)

In Chertsey, Salesian School is celebrating as 87% of students achieved 5 standard passes (Grades 9-4) including English & Maths and 45% of all grades awarded 9-7 (A*-A).

Thornleigh Salesian College in Bolton said, "Once again we are extremely proud of our students as the class of 2018 have well and truly smashed their exam results! With an amazing 70% A*-C (9-4) pass rate, the hard work of all staff and students has proven to be worth it."

At St John Bosco College Battersea, Headteacher, Paul Dunne, said 'We are really delighted with this year's GCSE results particularly given the changes to the assessment system that have come in nationally. The pupils have performed even better than last year's excellent set of results. They have worked so hard to achieve their success and they deserve to celebrate before moving on to their A Level studies!'

Salesian College Farnborough was also delighted with its outstanding results, with 84% of students achieving grades 9-7 (A*-A) and 96% of the boys in Year 11 achieving at least eight 9-4 (A*-C) grades each.

At the end of a message congratulating their GCSE students, and thanking parents and carers for their support, Savio Salesian College, Bootle, added, "We leave you with the words of Don Bosco: 'Do not lose any time. Do good, do all the good you can and you will never regret doing it.' God bless."