SCHOOLS have plenty to celebrate as secondary school performance tables have seen Bolton post its best ever results.

Delighted headteachers across the borough have praised the hard work of teachers and pupils as the results are released today.

Canon Slade was the top performing state school, with its outstanding results of 86 per cent of young people achieving five A* to C GCSEs including English and maths, while Sharples was the top performing community school.

Canon Slade headteacher Philip Williamson said: “Learning is also about enjoyment. Lessons are planned to be engaging, capturing the interests and imagination of students, providing a stimulus for successful learning.

“Our youngsters respond to this, demonstrating a high level of commitment and diligence towards their studies. They are taught and supported by dedicated staff and encouraged by caring and supportive parents and carers. Our students are to be warmly congratulated on their well-deserved successes.”

Sharples posted its best ever results of 68 per cent achieving the five or more good GCSEs including English and maths. This was up 13 per cent on last year, the biggest increase recorded in Bolton.

Headteacher Rachel Quesnel said: “I started my headship at Sharples three weeks ago, and I can clearly see the wealth of potential and expertise at this caring and ambitious school. It is my aim to further raise standards as we pursue outstanding status at our next Ofsted inspection.

“The progress made in the last two years is astounding and is recognised as we take our place on the list of most improved schools nationally.

“Sharples is now the highest performing community school in Bolton’s North Cluster and fourth highest in the authority.”

She added: “A relentless focus on the quality of teaching and learning has played an integral part in this rapid improvement and many of the measures achieved are above or well above the national average. These are the best ever results at Sharples, but we intend to do even better in the future.”

Other individual successes included Ladybridge High School, where results increased by 11 per cent to 60 per cent of children achieving the grade.

Rivington and Blackrod High School and Thornleigh Salesian College recorded a 10 per cent increase in results, which stood at 67 per cent and 68 per cent respectively.

Cllr Kevin McKeon, Bolton’s cabinet member for schools, said: “This is fantastic news for Bolton and for the young people concerned. I’d like to offer them my sincere congratulations on such a great achievement.

“We have worked hard over the past few years to drive up attainment in our schools and we are determined to continue this commitment in the future.”

Tables in full: Pages 32 and 33