There were celebrations at the Brooksbank School, Elland, with its best-ever results. The overall pass rate rose to over 63 per cent and those achieving five A*-Cs, including English and maths, rose by 11 per cent.

• Follow the links below to see the results for each school

Head teacher Jeanne Watson said the results were testament to the hard work of students, staff and parents. "We are especially proud of the fact that every single student achieved GCSE qualifications", she said.

Sowerby Bridge High head teacher Kate Sanderson said: "We are extremely pleased to have achieved our best-ever GCSE results – 47 per cent with five or more A*-C.

"There is a continuing trend of rising improvement at the school as the GCSE results have risen year on year.

"This success reflects the hard work of all pupils and staff at the school."

Records were also smashed at Park Lane High – one of four Calderdale schools on a Government standards hitlist.

The percentage of students with five or more A*-Cs jumped from 31 last year to 49, and with 24 per cent getting five good GCSEs, including English and maths, the school is well on the way to the Government target of 30 per cent.

Head teacher Dave Watson said: "I am absolutely delighted for the students and the staff. It just shows what a cracking team we have got working here with the students."

Rastrick High head teacher Helen Lennie said this year's results were outstanding and the best in the school's history. Half the year group got five good GCSEs including English and maths – up 8 per cent on last year.

There were also outstanding individual results at Hipperholme and Lightcliffe High, with 31 A*s across the year, and 64 per cent getting five A*-Cs – the highest ever.

At Holy Trinity Senior School 61 per cent got five A*-Cs and head Paul Triner said he was delighted and proud of the students.

And over at Calder High more than two thirds of candidates got five A*-Cs – well above the target set.

Nationally the pass rate at A*-C was 65.7 per cent – up by 2.4 on 2007.

• Look out for our special 12-page GCSE pullout in tomorrow's Courier for pictures, stories and a full results listing.

GCSE results and pictures

• Bradford Girls' Grammar School


• Bradford Grammar School


• Brighouse High School


• Brooksbank School


• Calderdale College


• Calder High School


• Crossley Heath School


• Halifax High at Wellesley Park


• Hipperholme and Lightcliffe High School


• Hipperholme Grammar School


• Holy Trinity Senior School


• North Halifax Grammar School


• Park Lane High School


• Rastrick High School


• The Ridings School


• Ryburn Valley High School


• Sowerby Bridge High School


• St Catherine's Catholic High School


• Todmorden High School

Place your GCSE congratulations message in the Halifax Courier for only £10 to appear in the paper and online! Ring us now on 01422 260277 or 260273 for more information and to book your announcement.