They jumped for joy when they tore open envelopes containing their GCSE results at the School last August.

But for the 73 girls who scored exceptional marks in the 2008 examinations and have now almost all moved into Withington’s Sixth Form, the presentation of their certificates was an altogether more elegant occasion.

The overall pass rate at grades A*-C – including English and the tougher International GCSE in Maths – was 100% with 96.5% of the girls achieving all A* and A grades.

The presentation of the certificates together with Records of Achievement in academic and extra-curricular activities such as sport and music was interspersed with songs and poetry and attended by proud parents and grandparents.