A HAMPSHIRE college has recorded its best ever GCSE results despite having the death knell sounded on its future.

Woolston School Language College saw its overall pass rate results soar by six per cent, just ten-months after staff and pupils were told it is being recommended for closure under a major shake-up of Southampton schools.

The school notched up a 52 per cent pass rate for A* to C grades, up from 46 per cent last year.

Yesterday the school grounds were filled with youngsters celebrating the climax of five years of hard study.

One of the students celebrating was Chris Davis, who achieved a staggering nine A*s.

The 16-year-old said: "I was ecstatic when I saw my results.

"My teachers were expecting me to do well, but I wasn't prepared for what I saw when I opened the envelope.

"This is definitely a really special day for me.

"My plan is now to concentrate on college and go to university, but it's too soon to say what sort of job I'll end up doing."

Chris is going to Itchen College to study history and English.

Head teacher Joanna Carter said: "As a school our results this year are the best the school has ever had.

"Around 51 per cent of the students received A to C grades and given the difficult circumstances for the school this year it's brilliant that the students have made excellent progress."