HEADTEACHERS have praised the hard work and dedication of pupils which resulted in two schools achieving their best ever results.

Bromsgrove School has beaten its record by a considerable margin with pupils gaining a 99 per cent overall pass rate.

And the percentage of A and B grades, by which top academic schools are judged, was 72 per cent beating last year's 62 per cent.

Headteacher Tim Taylor told the Advertiser/Messenger: "We are delighted with these magnificent results. Candidates worked very hard and deserve their success.

"We are also pleased that many less able candidates have achieved very pleasing grades and have secured places at good universities."

South Bromsgrove Community High School-Technology College also achieved its best ever scores despite a 50 per cent increase in the number of pupils and the school's designation as a specialist technology college.

Pupils achieved a ninety-five per cent pass rate with 57 per cent gaining grades of A-C and 37 per cent gaining As and Bs.

The performance at A-level is matched by a 100 per cent pass rate for GNVQs.

Headteacher Phil McTague said: "I'm absolutely delighted with the results and felt they were rich reward for the huge effort put in by both staff and students.

"The school has a proud history of good results and these continue to maintain the school's excellent record of high performance."

NEW College is also celebrating a pass rate of 83.3 per cent.

Principal Neil Bromley joined sixth form centre head Mike McCarthy in praising the all-round effort. Mr McCarthy said: "The A-level results are the best ever, having steadily increased over the past three years.

"NEW College staff are very proud of the hard work and commitment students have given towards their studies."

Waseley Hills High School headteacher David Thurbon said his 42 A-level students had gained an excellent set of results, with the overall pass rate being higher than the previous three years.

He added: "I am delighted with the success of students, who performed up to expectations."

North Bromsgrove High School headteacher Kevin Peck said: "The results were very creditable, with a large number of students, some of whom would not have been able to take A levels elsewhere, gaining a respectable set of grades."