MP, Mark Hendrick was among the guests at Preston Muslim Girls School annual awards ceremony.

The school celebrated another fantastic year with 87% of students gaining 5 GCSE passes or more across all subjects at A*- C, including passes in English and Mathematics.

One hundred per cent of students obtained A* - C grades in English Language, English Literature and Food Technology; with many other subjects achieving 90% or more A* – C grades.

The school has been nationally recognised as a ‘DfE Top 100 School’ for two years in a row and puts it in the top 1% of non-selective state schools in the country.

Most recently, the charities that have benefitted from the school’s efforts have been the Rosemere Cancer Foundation, Galloways Society for the Blind and £1,200 being raised in response to the recent refugee crisis.

The head girl and former pupils also addressed the audience on the night before the students were awarded their GCSE certificates.

The top achieving students were rewarded with special awards. Maryam Patel achieved 12A stars, Head Girl, Tahreem Haq achieved 7A stars and 4 As and Fatima Zahra Patel achieved 3A stars and 7 As.

Head teacher Mufti Javid said: ‘Mark has been a friend to the school for many years and we were delighted that he was able to accept our invitation to the Awards Evening for our GCSE pupils.

‘I would like to thank him for his kind words about the school and for his recognition of the outstanding achievements of our girls. His presence there and the kind words he spoke to our pupils meant a lot to them.’ Mr Hendrick said: ‘The fantastic achievements are testament to the hard work and dedication of everyone associated with the school; the headteacher; teachers; staff; parents; governors, local community and especially the pupils themselves.

"The strong principles and ethos of the school has enabled all the students to not only gain a good education but also become good ambassadors for Islam and for Preston.

"I am pleased to see that the tradition of fundraising for local and international charities continues to grow, with the pupils contributing their time and effort to help people in need and those who are less fortunate than themselves.

"I am proud that this school, year on year continues to send young Muslim women out into the world that have not only achieved academic success, but who I am sure will make valuable contributions to society as well as excelling in whatever field or industry they choose to follow in their future careers."