BURY schools were celebrating after their GCSE results ranked above the national average.

In 2013, 62.3 per cent of Bury pupils received the benchmark achievement of five A* to C grades, including English and maths —– more than three per cent higher than the national average of 59.2 per cent.

The secondary school performance tables, published today, reveal that the school with the highest result was Bury Grammar School (Girls) — 100 per cent gained five A* to C grades, including English and maths, up two per cent from the previous year, and retained its number one ranking in the borough.

St Monica’s RC High School in Prestwich received the highest percentage of all state schools in the borough, although its figure was lower than in 2012.

Of the 17 schools listed in the table, published by the Department for Children Schools and Families, eight received a higher percentage than in 2012.

Broad Oak Sports College dramatically improved its results, with 50 per cent of its pupils achieving five A* to C grades — a 17 per cent increase on the previous year.

Headmaster Neil O’Connor said: “We are delighted with 50 per cent of course, but it represents where the school should have been the year before thanks to a spurious set of results involving the English exam.

“That aside, this result is fantastic for the school. It represents the dedication of both staff and students, and we will see an increase up to 70 per cent in the next three years.”

Another improving school was Radcliffe Riverside School, which achieved 56 per cent, up 11 per cent, despite its imminent closure.

Other schools showing a rise on their previous year were: Bury Church of England High, Bury Grammar for Boys, Castlebrook High, Philips High, and St Gabriel’s RC High.

Ian Chambers, Bury Council’s assistant director (learning), said: “Students’ progress in mathematics at secondary school was also above the national figure, with 72 per cent making expected progress.

“The number of young people achieving the English Baccalaureate — a good pass in English, mathematics, science, a modern language and history or geography — rose substantially from 21 per cent in 2012 to 25 per cent in 2013, and shows that Bury students are increasingly rising to the challenge of a harder curriculum at school. “These results come in the wake of the recent Ofsted report, which put Bury at the top of the North West league for the number of pupils at ‘good’ or ‘outstanding’ secondary schools.”