Star students in a class of their own

WELL DONE . . . Some of the outstanding students, from left, Kristen Lee-Mottershead (with the Good Schools Guide certificate); Deborah Howarth (head of home economics); Rebecca Barnett, Elizabeth Lawton, Ricky Patidar, Gareth Wailes (head of business studies); Jaydip Patel and Umar Rashid (with the business studies certificate)

OLDHAM’S Hulme Grammar School is celebrating a hat-rick of awards after being recognised by the Good Schools Guide.

The boys got an award for outstanding results in AS Level Business Studies while the girls were recognised for their top results in A-level human biology.

And Year 11 girls studying GCSE home economics won an award for the second year running.

The Chamber Road school beat off stiff competition from other top independents to gain the accolades for their exceptional results in 2008.

The guide rates every school’s performance in each subject area and is designed to highlight good teaching.

Head of business studies and economics, Gareth Wailes, congratulated the boys on their success.

He said: “With the popularity of television programmes such as ‘The Apprentice’ and ‘Dragon’s Den’, it is no surprise that business studies is a thriving subject.

“This award means that Oldham’s Hulme Grammar School is the country’s best independent school to gain an AS Level qualification in the subject.

“I’m really proud of the boys who have worked so hard to achieve these excellent results which have now been nationally recognised.

“Nationally, boys often get a bad press when compared with girls’ achievement.

“But we have managed to create a really positive business studies experience and they excel in this subject.”

Boys studying AS Level business studies have consistently achieved outstanding results with 91.7 per cent achieving A and B grades last summer.

Head of home economics, Debra Howarth, said: “I am delighted and proud of the hard work the girls have done. To win another for the second year running is fantastic!”