In a bumper year, the Lisle Road school saw the highest percentage of pupils in South Shields gaining five A* to Cs.

The 74 per cent high was almost four per cent above last year's results, and helped the borough also achieve its best-ever results.

South Tyneside saw a seven per cent rise on the number of pupils with five top grades, to 66.3 per cent – above the national average for the first time.

Harton headteacher Ken Gibson said: "Our results are an all-time high.

"Once you have hit a certain level it is very difficult to maintain an upward trend, but it is extremely pleasing to see they have gone up yet again.

"Our pupils have worked so hard and have taken their exams so seriously and the efforts of the pupils – and the staff – have paid off."

Top of the class was Emma Czestochowski who gained 11 A* and four As.

Emma, 16, from Harton Village, South Shields, said: "I'm so pleased with my grades, but am shocked at how well I have done."

The teenager will be heading to St Joseph's RC Comprehensive School's sixth form to study maths, biology, history and music.

Laura Cripps also joined her at the top, gaining 10 A* and four As.

Next month she will start her A-levels in geography, history, maths and English literature at Central Newcastle High School.

Laura, 16, from Harton Village, South Shields, said: "I don't know what I want to do after that but I think I'll go to university.

"I had an idea I would do well in my exams, but I was a bit shocked and couldn't believe how well I'd done."

Laura Brown, 16, from Westoe, South Shields, reduced her mum to tears when she picked up seven A* grades, four As and two Bs.

She will be studying maths, further maths, biology and chemistry and is hoping for a career in medicine.

She added: "I'm really excited and shocked by my grades but I think my mam's even happier than me."

But it wasn't just girls achieving top grades.

Greg Ogle, 16, from Harton, got five A*s and seven As and is now off to South Tyneside College.

He is studying maths, physics, chemistry and geography.

He said: "I was predicted the grades, but throughout the summer holidays I'd convinced myself I had done worse.

"I was ecstatic and my parents are both really pleased for me."