Sharples School has recorded its highest-ever GCSE results, with 73.5 per cent achieving grade 5 or above in English and maths.

The Bolton secondary school achieved record-breaking results in 2026, with 87 per cent of pupils gaining grade 4 or above in both core subjects.

One student achieved 11 grade 9s, while many others gained the grades needed to move on to college courses, sixth-form studies and apprenticeships.

(Image: Sharples School)

Headteacher Caroline Molyneux said: “We are delighted at Sharples that the class of 2026 have achieved record-breaking results, the best ever in the history of the school.

“73.5 per cent of students achieved Grade 5+ in both English and maths. 87 per cent achieved Grade 4+ in both subjects.

“It is a testament to the hard work that students and staff have put in over their five years with us, and we would also like to thank all our parents for their support.

“Our top-performing student achieved 11 straight grade 9s in GCSE subjects.

“There are also many students who achieved the vital grades they needed to go onto their chosen pathway at college and to do apprenticeships.

(Image: Sharples School)

“We are very proud of all of our students.”

She said the figures reflected the work of pupils and staff, while parents were also thanked for their support.

The results place Sharples above national figures. Across England, Wales and Northern Ireland, around 22 per cent of GCSE entries achieved grade 7 or above in 2026.

More than two-thirds of entries secured at least a grade 4 pass. National results were broadly similar to last year, with a small rise in top grades.

(Image: Sharples School)

Sharples School, on Hill Cot Road serves more than 1,200 students; the school has previously submitted plans for extra classrooms at its Hill Cot Road base.

The school has a focus on academic achievement and STEM education. Its motto, “Learn. Dream. Achieve.”, supports its approach inside and outside the classroom.

Facilities include a health hub with a swimming pool, an observatory and grounds covering more than 30 acres. The 2026 results mark another milestone in the school’s history, following the launch of a new observatory project.

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Schools go back in less than a matter of weeks, so it’s time to get uniforms, PE kits, and pencil cases ready for the new year.

We all know school clothes don’t come cheap, which is exactly why M&S is offering 20% off its wide range of schoolwear. 

If your little ones have shot up in height over the summer holidays, or have outgrown their trousers and need a new pair, now’s the perfect time to shop and save. 

Designed to help you save money over the school year, many of its trousers, shirts and polo tops come in multi-packs, in durable fabrics that won’t bobble or fade, while adjustable waistbands and crease-resistant materials mean less work for parents, and less ironing. 

Prices have been dropped for a limited time only, so make sure you’re organised in time for the first week of September.

Better still, multipacks start from just £7, so it won’t cost you a fortune to sort your child’s new school uniform, whether they’re making the big transition from primary to secondary, or moving up a year with all their friends. 

Here’s some of the best savings to shop on M&S school uniforms:

2 Pack Unisex Pure Cotton School Jumper (3-18 Yrs)

Before long, the weather will be back to being chilly, so this two-pack of cotton jumpers will come in handy.

They’re specially designed to resist colour fading and bobbling, so hopefully they’ll last you multiple school terms, if not years for a bargain price.

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2 Pack Boys’ Slim Leg School Trousers (2-18 Yrs)

This multipack of trousers is available in slim, regular and skinny fit, so there’s plenty of styles to suit growing boys.

M&S have thought of it all with this design: an adjustable waist and crease-resistant fabric that’s also stain, and weather-resistant – with permanent creases so you don’t need to slave over the iron.

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2 Pack Girls’ Pleated School Skirts (2-18 Yrs)

These skirts have permanent pleats and come in sizes suitable for ages 2 to 18.

The adjustable waist means they can grow with them, and 120 five-star reviews from shoppers sing their praises.

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One shopper named Kay said, ‘Good fit, elastic waist adjustment. Bought for Year 7, now buying more for Year 9. Not too long and not too short. Wash well.’

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3 Pack Unisex Stain Resist School Polo Shirts (2-18 Yrs)

Kids get through polo shirts all the time; if it’s not from running around the playground, it’s accidentally spilling lunch down the front.

Save yourself constant washing with this three-pack that will give you a head start on the ironing pile.

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3 Pack Girls’ Slim Fit Easy Iron School Shirts (2-16 Yrs)

These slim fit shirts are less than a tenner for three, an absolute steal.

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Over 350 customers have rated them five-stars, which makes for a convincing case, too.

One named Mike described them as ‘excellent material and quality and a very good fit for my child.’

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Kids’ Leather Bow School Shoes (8 Small-2 Large)

School shoes can be the most expensive part of shopping for a new year, but thankfully M&S have got budget-strapped parents in mind with its 20% off, so you can bag this pair for even less.

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2 Pack Zip Gingham School Dresses (2-14 Yrs)

This gingham dress comes in seven shades, spanning light blue, yellow, green, lilac, so no matter what your school’s uniform policy is, you’re covered and won’t break the bank.

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Shoppers rave about the quality and how little ironing they need.

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MORE: Parents can save up to 30% on Kickers school shoes ahead of the new term

MORE: The work bags that’ll have you almost looking forward to the commute

MORE: Save yourself the September stress with Clarks’ back-to-school essentials

By RACHEL BOWMAN, US SENIOR NEWS REPORTER and RACHEL SHARP, CRIME CORRESPONDENT

Updated: 14:29 BST, 20 August 2026

A massive crowd of Lindsay Clancy supporters gathered outside the courthouse Thursday morning to show solidarity as she continues to make her case in ‘America’s saddest murder trial.’

Clancy, 36, is on trial for the murders of her three children, Cora, five, Dawson, three, and eight-month-old Callan, at her home in Duxbury, Massachusetts, in 2023.

She strangled her children with exercise bands and then allegedly attempted to kill herself, but her efforts failed and left her paralyzed and in a wheelchair for life.

Clancy has admitted to killing her children but pleaded not guilty to murder by reason of insanity, citing postpartum psychosis, and is seeking to be committed to a state mental health facility rather than a prison sentence.

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Her defense scored a major win on Wednesday when Clancy’s psychologist testified she was too sick to be criminally responsible for killing her three young children.

If you or someone you know needs help, please call or text the confidential 24/7 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline in the US on 988. There is also an online chat available at 988lifeline.org

Follow along for the latest updates…

Lindsay Clancy supporters rally outside courthouse

Hundreds of pink-clad Lindsay Clancy supporters gathered outside the courthouse Thursday morning to show their support for the former nurse.

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As defense attorney Kevin Reddington drove by, the crowd cheered and clapped.

Asked by reporters for a message to the crowd, he said, ‘Thank you,’ and added that he would share their support with Clancy.

When Clancy’s transport van drove past, the crowd cheered.

Clancy is expected to continue her defense in the murder trial of her three children.

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She has admitted to killing her children but pleaded not guilty to murder by reason of insanity, citing postpartum psychosis, and is seeking to be committed to a state mental health facility rather than a prison sentence.

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The Daily Mail has launched a new podcast taking you inside the courtroom for the murder trial of mother-of-three Lindsay Clancy.

The Crime Desk’s Rachel Sharp has been covering every single day of the trial in Plymouth, Massachusetts, keeping our readers up to date with live reports and filing video roundups from the scene.

Rachel will now be joined by Trial USA host Kayla Brantley twice a week to record a special podcast miniseries.

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Lindsay Clancy prosecutor sparks angry backlash with bold courtroom stunt and ‘stupid’ questions

Lindsay Clancy’s bow-wearing prosecutor is facing criticism for a brazen courtroom stunt and tense questioning of the slain children’s grieving grandparents.

Assistant District Attorney Shanan Buckingham is one of the two prosecutors from the Plymouth County District Attorney’s Office working to prove that Clancy intentionally murdered her three children.

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Buckingham has raised eyebrows throughout the trial as she has worn a bow in her hair each day in an apparent tribute to Cora, then subjected the children’s grandparents to intense questioning.

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Lindsay Clancy wears pink to court

Lindsay Clancy entered the courtroom in a pink shirt, dressed like the hundreds of supporters who rallied outside.

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Patrick Clancy’s emotional mother relays distinct sign of support to former daughter-in-law

Lindsay Clancy’s former mother-in-law showed her a sign of support after delivering emotional testimony about her three slain grandchildren on Tuesday.

Patrick Clancy’s mother, Sue Clancy, faced intense questioning while testifying as a defense witness, including from Assistant District Attorney Shanan Buckingham who asked the grieving grandmother if she was aware that ‘murder is considered a mortal sin.’

Sue testified that Clancy loved all her children, and described her as a ‘nurturing’ and ‘wonderful mother.’

She also rejected the prosecution’s suggestion that Clancy disliked her middle son Dawson.

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Pink-clad Clancy supporters rally

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Prosecutor snapped at defense attorney

After tense cross-examination in which Assistant District Attorney Shanan Buckingham questioned Dr Paul Zeizel about potential bias on Wednesday, she exchanged tense words with defense attorney Kevin Reddington.

‘Let’s talk about confirmation bias,’ Reddington said, springing to his feet as soon as the prosecutor said she had no other questions.

Buckingham quickly responded: ‘Can I sit down please.’

The public gallery laughed.

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TikToker will not testify in Clancy trial

Judge William Sullivan ruled on Wednesday that Emily Thorndike cannot testify in the trial.

Thorndike was a social worker who previously worked at McLean psychiatric hospital – where Clancy admitted herself in December 2022.

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She posted on TikTok about the hospital after Patrick Clancy’s testimony.

Thorndike told the judge she felt the prosecution’s characterization of the facility was ‘misleading.’

The judge said that he finds Thorndike credible. But he has to look at issues such as the element of surprise, bad faith, prejudice to other parties and the materiality of the testimony.

The first three issues he said do not apply here.

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The fourth – materiality of the testimony – is at issue, he said, in that she didn’t work there for a year before Clancy was admitted to the hospital.

He also said that the McLean records show the staffing levels in holidays and not in holidays. He will allow those records to be admitted to show what was available to Clancy during her time there.

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Clancy murder trial discusses suicide

Lindsay Clancy is accused of murdering her three children – Cora, five, Dawson, three, and eight-month-old Callan – in January 2023.

Although the 36-year-old does not deny killing her children, she has pleaded not guilty and claimed she is not responsible for her actions because she was suffering from postpartum psychosis.

On the day of the killings, Clancy asked her husband, Patrick Clancy, to leave their home to get takeout food and to pick up something at a pharmacy.

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The former nurse strangled the children with exercise bands, then used multiple methods to try to end her own life.

She was paralyzed after falling from the home’s second-story window and is being held at a state hospital.

If you or someone you know needs help, please call or text the confidential 24/7 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline in the US on 988. There is also an online chat available at 988lifeline.org.

Share

Lindsay Clancy’s final movements before her three children were killed revealed with cutting-edge technique

Lindsay Clancy’s final movements before the deaths of her three children were apparently captured by the devices inside her home.

On Monday, the 14th day of her trial, prosecutors revealed how data from Clancy’s Apple Watch and iPhone recorded her heart rate, phone activity and apparent movement around the house before the health and movement records stopped at 5.38pm.

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The evidence was presented by Ian Whiffin, a digital-forensics expert with Cellebrite who analyzed a full extraction of data from Clancy’s iPhone 13 for the prosecution.

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Photos of Lindsay Clancy’s injuries debunk Patrick Clancy conspiracy theory

Graphic images of Lindsay Clancy’s injuries from the night she killed her children and then attempted suicide have debunked wild conspiracy theories pushed by internet sleuths.

Since the start of the trial last month, social media users have been peddling bizarre theories about the case.

Particularly cruel posts have suggested, without evidence, that Patrick Clancy was somehow involved in the murders and framed his ex-wife.

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Lindsay Clancy handed huge win by latest day of murder trial evidence

Inside the courtroom on Wednesday, jurors heard testimony from Lindsay Clancy’s psychologist that she was in the throes of psychosis when she killed the children.

Dr Paul Zeizel, a highly experienced, well-respected forensic psychologist who works with Clancy’s defense attorney Kevin Reddington, explained that someone in the grips of psychosis can continue with normal tasks.

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So Clancy could continue to do things like take Cora to the doctor and search things online that day even if she was in the grips of psychosis, he said.

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A man was rushed to hospital with stab wounds after ‘reports of violence’

Police have provided an update after a man was sent to hospital with stab wounds. Cambridgeshire Police were called to “reports of violence” in Tenison Road, Cambridge at around 9pm on Tuesday (August 18).

A man was rushed to hospital with stab wounds. Cambridgeshire Police arrested two men in connection with the incident. These two men have since been charged.

A police spokesperson said: “Sanchez Davis, 26, of Sunderlands Avenue, Sawston, has been charged with grievous bodily harm with intent, theft, affray and possession of an offensive weapon in public.

“Deschanel Davis, 28, of The Green Road, Sawston, has been charged with grievous bodily harm with intent, assault by beating and affray. They are both down to appear at Huntingdon Magistrates’ Court this morning (Thursday, August 20).”

Do you want more of the latest Cambridgeshire news as it comes in from across the county? Sign up to our dedicated newsletter to make sure you never miss a big story from Cambridge or anywhere else in the county. You can also sign up to our dedicated Traffic and Crime newsletters for the latest updates on the topics you are most interested in.

Frasers Travel Ltd was founded in 1986 and offered holiday packages to destinations all over the world.

The company described itself as a provider of “luxurious long-haul destinations to fantastic short-haul holiday packages”.

UK travel company Frasers Travel ceases trading after 40 years

After 40 years, Frasers Travel, based in Saltcoats, Ayrshire in Scotland, has confirmed it has ceased trading.

In a statement, the company said: “We regret to inform you that Frasers Travel Ltd has today ceased trading.

“We would like to thank all our past clients for their loyalty and support.”

Frasers Travel advised customers with existing bookings to email info@mclenancorporate.com for further assistance.

The company’s website has also been taken offline.

Up until the announcement, the company had been advertising trips to locations such as the Caribbean, Spain and Australia.

ABTA, one of the UK’s largest travel trade associations, added: “If you booked a holiday through Frasers Travel Ltd, the tour operator with who Frasers Travel Ltd booked your holiday will be named on your paperwork.

“If you booked a flight inclusive holiday, your tour operator will be named on your ATOL Certificate under “Who is protecting your trip”.

“To ensure your holiday continues as planned, you will need to contact the Credit Control Department of your Tour Operator with whom you have a contract.

“Your booking should continue as normal and they will now be your direct point of contact.

“Please ensure that you have your documentation with you as they may require information from this to assist you.”

UK travel companies that have closed in 2026

The closure of Frasers Travel follows many UK-based travel companies that have shut down so far this year.

Some have ceased trading, while others have entered administration or liquidation:

Recommended reading:

Meanwhile, four UK airlines have fallen into administration or liquidation this year:

• Ascend Airways (liquidation)
• EcoJet Airlines (liquidation)
• Zenith Aviation Limited (administration)
• European Cargo (administration)

Have you booked a holiday with Frasers Travel before? Let us know in the poll above or in the comments below.

A number of Chelsea players were handed extended summer breaks following their involvement at the World Cup, with the likes of Reece James, Enzo Fernandez, Maxence Lacroix, Morgan Rogers, Valentin Barco and Malo Gusto only reporting for pre-season after the club’s tour of southeast Asia.

Reform has suspended a councillor pending the outcome of legal proceedings after he was charged over a grossly offensive comment on social media regarding Nigerians.

Sunderland City Councillor Glenn Gibbins, 66, is scheduled to appear at South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court on Friday in connection with an alleged Facebook post from 2024.

Last month, Northumbria Police announced that he had been charged with an offence under the Communications Act 2003 regarding a post referencing the Nigerian community.

An investigation was initially launched when the online post was uncovered in May.

According to reports, Gibbins was elected to the council in May, suspended by Reform, and subsequently reinstated with a final written warning.

Following the formal charge, the party suspended him once again, and he is now listed on the Sunderland City Council website as an Independent.

A Reform spokesperson said: “Cllr Gibbins has been suspended from Reform UK pending the outcome of his case.”

The couple’s children, Prince Archie, seven, and Princess Lilibet, five, are enrolled to start at a British school in September.

King Charles was told of the move on Sunday. There are no current plans for either Prince Harry or Meghan to resume their roles as working royals.

The Sussexes left the UK and stepped back from their royal duties in early 2020, before settling in California in March that year.

They were last in the UK in July to visit the King and Queen Camilla, in what was seen as a key development in their relationship.

The Palace described the meeting at the King’s private home in Gloucestershire as a “private family occasion”.

It was the first time the King had seen his grandchildren in person in more than four years, and the couple’s first visit to the UK together since 2022.

It is understood that July’s visit had to be adjusted after the duke’s request for police protection was rejected.

Last year, Prince Harry lost a legal challenge in which he sought to overturn a decision that had downgraded his security after his move to the US.

At the time, he told the BBC that he “can’t see a world” in which he would bring his family to the UK due to the downgrading of his protection.

It is unclear what provisions will be made for their security once they return to the UK.

Royal expert Robert Hardman told the BBC’s Radio 4 Today programme it was likely that some of their past security issues “have been resolved” but details – or who is going to foot the bill – are still unknown.

The children’s enrolment in school indicated a “clear direction of travel”, Hardman said, adding that the children are now going to be raised as “British rather than American”.

In the US, the Sussexes have employed a private security team to protect them.

They offered no comment when asked by the BBC whether that team would be moving to the UK with them.

Sara El-Khawas died alongside her parents Hassan El-Khawas, 55, and Zeina Alayn, 37, on Tuesday afternoon in Shoreham-by-Sea.

A 14-year-old girl who died in the water in a tragic accident that also took the lives of her mother and father has been described as a “sweet and well-liked girl” in a touching tribute from her school.

Sara El-Khawas died alongside her parents Hassan El-Khawas, 55, and Zeina Alayn, 37, on Tuesday afternoon in Shoreham-by-Sea. A young girl who is part of the same family is currently hospitalised in a critical condition after being pulled from the sea, according to police.

Police, paramedics, coastguard crews and a lifeboat were at the scene where the four people were recovered from the water.

It is believed the family travelled from their home in London to visit Shoreham and entered the water from the beach near Shoreham Fort at around 2pm before they got into difficulty.

Ellen Wilkinson School for Girls posted a tribute to Year 8 student Sara following the “tragic incident” during the summer holidays on its website on Thursday.

The school, in the London borough of Ealing, said: “Sara was a sweet girl, well-liked by staff and students and she will be greatly missed.

“Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences are with her family, friends, and all those affected.

“This news will be deeply upsetting for many students, families and staff.”

On Wednesday, Sussex Police said its investigation remains open, but after a review of CCTV footage and initial witness accounts, it is currently thought the deaths were a tragic accident, with no third-party involvement.

Chief Superintendent James Collis said: “The events of Tuesday afternoon are a heartbreaking tragedy which has devastated a family and their friends and had a profound impact on the Shoreham community.”