FIVE students from Oldham's Blue Coat School will go to Oxford University following release A Level results on Thursday (August 13).

The high-achieving students are as follows: Rish Dhoot is going to Lincoln college to study Maths; Kirsten Fletcher, Hertford, Geography; Kian O'Connor, Mansfield, Law; James Goddard, New College, Maths and Samuel Williamson, University College, Engineering Science

Headteacher Rob Higgins said: "There may have been no exams this year, but Blue Coat Students still had plenty to celebrate. Today provided recognition of two years of hard work, new friends made and skills learned. Students may not have had a chance to demonstrate what they were capable of with formal examinations, but their efforts and hard work have been recognised by the exam boards.

"Many other students have also secured university places across the country despite the unprecedented period we are going through.

"A number of students have also been accepted onto high level apprenticeships. Mathew Bailey has secured a school leavers' position with KPMG. He will be working on-the-job as an audit apprentice whilst studying for level 7 qualifications in accountancy as part of a five-year degree apprenticeship, with the aim of becoming a fully- qualified chartered accountant by the end of the programme.

"School may have stopped on the March 23, but the friendships made and the skills and knowledge learned have endured and will continue to do so in the future."

Mr Higgins added: "The last few months have been incredibly challenging for all of our young people, their families and for staff. I'm delighted to see so many pupils secure results which allow them to progress to the next stage of their journey. The results acknowledge the hard work and commitment they have demonstrated over the last two years and also reflect the support they have received from their families and staff. We wish them every success for the future".