THE numbers of children achieving high grades in the GCSE exams was below the national average, Government figures published this week show.

The department for education (DfE) statistics show how well teenagers in Bury and the rest of the country performed in the Year 11 exams.

This year's GCSE pupils were the first to have their exams marked under the grade system of 9 to 1 in English and maths, with nine being the highest mark and four being equivalent to C-grade.

In Bury, 62.6 per cent of pupils achieved at a least a 4 in their English and maths. The North West average was 62 per cent and the national average was 63.5 per cent for the state-funded sector.

And just 37.8 per cent achieved the higher 9 to 5 grades in English and maths, below the North West average of 39.9 per cent and the national average of 42.4per cent for nationally.

The DfE has only listed the 9 to 5 grades for individual schools in the provisional tables it has released.

In the new tables the Government has scrapped the five or more A* to C including maths and English measure and replaced it with the numbers of pupils passing their English and maths, and gaining the English Baccalaureate (EBacc) — which covers English, math, science and humanities and languages. The borough fared better in this measure with 26.4 per cent of pupils achieving the qualification at 9 to 4 compared to 21.4 per cent in the North West and 23.7 per cent for the state-funded sector.

The best performing school, according to the department for education tables was St Gabriel's RC High School where 53 per cent of pupils achieved a grade 5 or above in English and maths.

The tables also shows that at Elton High School, in Walshaw, TheDerby High School and Philips High School children made above average progress in their time at secondary school. The Derby High School was joint top with Elton High School for its progress score.

Headteacher of The Derby High School Helen Hubert said: "This is amazing

"Last year’s progress scores were good but to top the table this year is phenomenal!

"I cannot thank my staff enough for the drive and determination they demonstrated in ensuring that our students pushed themselves to achieve their very best. Our students made the most of the support we offered and embraced the challenge."

Jonathan Wilton, headteacher at The Elton High School, said: "Our fantastic, hardworking students deserved their success this summer, and it's good to see the government statistics confirm our view that our school goes from strength to strength and that students make excellent progress during there time here. Our attainment 8 score was the highest in the borough, but the progress 8 score is the thing we are most proud of, as students have benefited from their outstanding education here no matter what their starting point."

Provisional results released by the department for education.

The tables list the school, its performance in Progress 8; grade five or above in English and Maths; achieving EBacc at grade 5 or above

The Derby High School above average; 30 per cent; 20 per cent

The Elton High School, above average; 45 per cent; 33 per cent

Philips High School, above average; 35 per cent; 26 per cent

Castlebrook High School, average, 39 per cent; 4 per cent

Parrenthorn High School, average; 46 per cent; 31 per cent

St Gabriel's High School, average; 53 per cent; 20 per cent

Woodhey High School, average; 49 per cent; 37 per cent

Bury Church of England, below average; 44 per cent, 25 per cent

St Monica's RC High School, below average, 37 per cent; 20 per cent

Tottington High School, below average, 34 per cent; 14 per cent

Prestwich Arts College, below average, 24 per cent; 11 per cent

Broadoak High School, well below average; 12 per cent; 11 per cent