THE LEADER of Bradford Council has described the district’s GCSE results as a “positive step in the right direction” after a number of schools enjoyed their best results yet

But Councillor Susan Hinchcliffe also acknowledged that results had “fallen slightly” at some schools and academies in the district.

She said: “We’ve seen real improvement at a number of schools, colleges and academies at a time when results nationally appear to have fallen. Huge credit should go to the teaching staff and leaders who have supported students in this achievement.

“It is too soon to provide a full picture, particularly as there have been a number of changes at a national level that have had an impact on results. We know too that at some schools and academies in the district results have fallen slightly.

“We still have much work to do to make sure the school improvement plan delivers continued progress. Overall this is a positive step in the right direction and one on which we are determined to build.”

Nerves gave way to relief at many schools across the district yesterday as thousands of pupils collected their results.

Dixons Kings Academy in Lidget Green saw its first set of GCSE students collect their results yesterday. The school was one of the first in a wave of Free Schools, opening in 2011. Its first students reached GCSE level last academic year, and yesterday the school found out that many had received very impressive results. Overall the school performed 10 per cent better than the national average last year, and well above the Bradford average, with 67 per cent of students achieving at least five A* - C grades, including English and maths

Principal Neil Miley said: “The students and staff have really exceeded expectations and we’re really proud of the results.

“It was a leap of faith for parents to send their children to a new school, but it has paid off as we are outperforming Bradford and national averages.”

It is welcome good news for the school, which recently returned to the headlines when founder and former principal Sajid Raza was found guilty of fraud, charges which relate to the school’s early years.

But the school, now run by the Dixons Academy chain, hopes this strong academic performance means it can move on from past issues.

Pupil Iqra Ayub, who picked up seven As, an A* and a two Bs and a C, said: “It is a really good feeling when you have the paper in your hand and see the results.

“Other GCSE years will have a lot to live up to now. The results are really something to celebrate.”

This time last year, Carlton Bolling in Undercliffe was in special measures following a critical Ofsted report in July 2014.

But the school has worked to turn its fortunes around - last November it was brought out of special measures after inspectors noted improvements, and in March pupils sitting their |English GCSEs early received impressive results.

Yesterday, pupils heard that their recent hard work had earned the school its best GCSEs yet.

Head Adrian Kneeshaw, said: “We’ve seen 60 per cent of pupils getting an A* - C in English and maths, up from 40 per cent last year. It is a big leap. We’ve had really good results this year.”

He said there was particular improvement in the school’s English results, and had some of the best maths results in the district.

Mr Kneeshaw added: “These results are an indication of all the hard work that has gone in over the last three years. They represent the next stage on the school’s journey.”

There were many individual successes across the district. Freddie Morse, of Addingham Moorside in Ilkley underwent chemotherapy, immunotherapy and a bone marrow transplant while battling leukaemia during his GCSE studies.

But he still managed to achieve nine GCSE passes, including seven A*s. The Giggleswick School pupil picked up his results yesterday and said: “I am so pleased and I can’t quite believe it. What I’ve learned from this is to never say never, never give up.”

One Bingley Grammar School pupil scored an astonishing 12 A* GCSEs and will also pocket £1,200 after a last minute promise from her father. Umayah Tahsin discovered her result the morning after a late night chat with dad Lukman Miah at their home in Saltaire.

“I had a clear strategy and I was very prepared, but when I saw my grades I was overcome with tears. It was only last night that we were talking and I said; “Dad, can I have £100 for every A* I get? And he said yes!”

Mr Miah, a teacher at the Al Mu’min private boys school in Bradford, said he was delighted to be faced with the best bill of his life. “I thought I might have to pay out £500 , but I’m delighted it will be more than double that.”