PUPILS at Sunderland High, the city's top independent school, are celebrating record achievements, after the release of their GCSE and A-Level exam results.

A larger number of pupils than last year were entered for GCSE, taking more subjects per pupil, and they achieved an impressive pass rate of almost 86 per cent at grade C and above.

Martin Crow, 16, of Sunderland, excelled with four starred A grades, five A grades and a B, while Gemma Brooks, also 16, from Silksworth, gained seven A grades and 3 Bs.

Headteacher Dr Angela Slater said: "We are delighted with the results.

"The improvement in the headline pass rates, at both GCSE and A-Level, reflects the tremendous effort put in by students and their teachers.

"As an independent school, we try to get the best performance out of all students at every level."

A record 96 per cent of pupils gained passes in their A-levels, including 18-year-old Sunderland student James Donald with straight As in three subjects, and Scott Flint, 18, from Chester-le-Street, who will be reading law at Manchester University with two As and a B.

A and B grades accounted for an impressive 30 per cent of the boys' total, while the girls followed closely at 28 per cent.