“THIS is a truly joyous and memorable day for the whole Sir John Deane’s community and I’m incredibly proud of each and every one of our students.”

These are the words of principal Christopher Atherton after the college celebrated a year of record-breaking results.

Students received astonishing high grade success, with 89 per cent of all A-level grades awarded at A*, A or B, while 539 students achieved three grades at A*- B.

Meanwhile, 67 per cent of all A-level grades were A* or A, compared to 36 per cent nationally.

Northwich Guardian: Gabrielle WilliamsGabrielle Williams

In BTEC subjects, 97 per cent of grades were Distinction* or Distinction.

Principal Atherton said: “Even with our long history of superb A-level and BTEC results, these stand out as truly exceptional.

“What makes these results even more extraordinary is that this remarkable success has been achieved right across the College, by students with a range of different personal stories, subject choices and career aspirations.”

Building on the success of previous years, there were more A* grades awarded than any other grade and an impressive 347 students achieved straight A/A* grades.

Northwich Guardian: Eva Barton and mum ClaireEva Barton and mum Claire

The majority of students have now secured places at some of the UK’s top universities, including all 20 students who received offers from Oxford and Cambridge.

A number of others are now set to start higher and degree level apprenticeships from September.

Matthew Snelson, CEO of the Sir John Brunner Foundation, added: “Congratulations to Sir John Deane’s students on their incredible results, which will provide them with the platform to thrive and flourish wherever they go next.

Northwich Guardian: Kiran DobsonKiran Dobson

“These achievements are a testament to the talented, caring and compassionate Sir John Deane’s colleagues, supportive parents and carers but most of all to the focused, dedicated and hard-working students.”

Some of the success stories included Gabrielle Williams, a former Middlewich High School pupil, who achieved results in biology (A*), chemistry (A*) and mathematics (A) to secure her place at the University of Bristol to study biochemistry.

Kiran Dobson, head boy, was thrilled after securing A*, A, A in photography, history and economics.

Jaydon O’Donoghue also got A*, A, A and will be going on to The University of Sheffield.

Northwich Guardian: Jaydon O’DonoghueJaydon O’Donoghue

He said: "I've enjoyed the past few years and will miss the college.

"The online courses during Covid were excellent and made it feel like you were in the classroom."

Happy student Eva Barton and mum Claire were overjoyed, and Eva is now looking forward to her future.

Eva achieved an amazing A*, A, B and is going to The University of Sheffield to study linguistics with the hope of becoming a journalist or working in PR.

Molly McCall is one of the 20 college pupils going to Oxford or Cambridge.

Northwich Guardian: Molly McCall with teacher (and dad) TimMolly McCall with teacher (and dad) Tim

She got four A* grades and will now go on to study maths at Oxford – an amazing result.

She said: “I’m so excited, I feel like I can actually start to get excited now! I quite liked online learning because it gave me some independence, but it’s been nice to be back in college and see people again."

Her dad Tim was also her electronics teacher – and he was incredibly proud, saying his daughter’s results were well-deserved.

Molly added: “Having my dad as my teacher was strange at first but I got used to it!"

Brooke McCormick, a former Winsford Academy student, achieved A*, B, A in art, English literature and 3D design.

Northwich Guardian: Brooke McCormickBrooke McCormick