A HOST of Copeland students are celebrating a successful GCSE results day. 

Individual success stories being cheered in schools across the area, while a number of schools are reporting the highest ever percentage of A and A* grades achieved. 

At St Benedict's in Whitehaven, a higher number of pupils earned an A or A* in English and maths, although 50 per cent achieved five A-C grades overall, down from last year's 57 per cent. 

Victoria Bell, from Cleator Moor, was one of the highest achieving pupils with 5A*s, 3As, 2Bs and 1C. She said she was particularly pleased with her maths, further maths and history grades and plans to study the sciences and maths at sixth form. 

Twins Lewis and Rhys Pritchard, from Whitehaven, both now go on to electrical engineering apprenticeships at Gen2, Rhys having received 4As and 7Bs, and his brother 7Bs and 3Cs. 

Headteacher Ian Smith said: "These results are a credit to the students involved. St Benedict's has enjoyed year-on-year improvement in recent times. 

"The overall results are encouraging, and taken with our strong A-levels, give us confidence for the future." 

Among those celebrating at The Whitehaven Academy were Hazel Naylor and Keavy Horricks, both from Whitehaven. 

Hazel achieved 5A*s and 5As. She said: "I am very pleased. I had hoped for good results, but these were better than expected." 

While Keavy hopes to pursue a career in teaching with her 3As and 7Bs. "I'd like to study chemistry at university and become a chemistry teacher, hopefully back here at Whitehaven Academy," she said. 

In Egremont, West Lakes Academy's pupils have achieved the most A* and A grades in its history; 18 per cent of the total grades awarded. 

Among those was Louise Temple, from Seascale, who earned 6A*s and 4As. She is currently deciding between studying the sciences and art at sixth form, or a trainee veterinary nurse apprenticeship. She said her good results were down to "hard work - and not wanting to disappoint anyone!" 

While Tom Jackson, from Calderbridge, is "in shock" at his 5A*s, 4As and 1C. He said: "I was worried that I hadn't even passed science, but I somehow got an A*." He will return to the academy's sixth form, before heading off to university for a biology-related course. 

Principal Vanessa Ray said: "This is another good set of results, similar to last year, but more A* and A grades awarded across the curriculum. 

"Congratulations to all of our students who did their best, and to the families and staff who supported them." 

It was a poignant day at St Bees School, which held its last GCSE results day having closed at the end of term.

See this week's Whitehaven News for all the results.