DERBY High School has celebrated the success of a 10-year vision to become top class.

Headteacher Alyson Byrne hailed a “year of great achievement” at the annual presentation evening, held at Bury’s Elizabethan Suite.

Guests included Stewart Day, chairman of Bury FC, Glenn Thomas, the club’s chief executive, parents, staff, governors and past students.

In her address to celebrate and honour the class of 2013, Mrs Byrne said: “Ten years ago we set out a really ambitious vision for the future of our school. So, 10 years later, we are delighted to be recognised by the Times Educational Supplement as the best school in the country for our provision in science and the best school in the country for provision in the arts.

“We are the only school in the country to have received top awards for educational excellence in both science and creativity. In science, our achievement is in the top 10 per cent of all schools nationally. In arts, awarded Artsmark Gold once again, we are officially recognised as a beacon of excellence for other schools.”

Focusing on the achievement of pupils, Mrs Byrne continued: “Just about every young person in this hall has five good GCSEs — 95 per cent of Derby High School students achieved this. And in 2013 on this measure, this made us the top performing high school in the whole of Bury.”

She also revealed that the school in Radcliffe Road has been shortlisted for the national Science Award at the Education Business Awards which are scheduled to take place in London on December 5.

And she disclosed that it will soon be opening its £1.46 million sports hall.

In his speech, Mr Day explained his passion for football and how teachers guided him to success, as he drew on the inspirational example of his father’s dedication to hard work and spending time with his son.

Students received prizes for both excellence and progress in their subjects.