FIRST class — that's Bolton Muslim Girls School.

The school is number one among the borough's state-funded secondary schools — and is the best for getting the most out of its pupils after results showed that pupils made 'well above average progress'.

Results show that 64 per cent achieved the higher grades at maths and English, and 81 per cent with five or more good GCSE grades including maths and English.

Headteacher Idrish Patel said:"We are thrilled that yet again our learners made an excellent progress.

"We understand that there is always a volatility in results when accountability measures and qualifications change.

"This is not the case with Bolton Muslim Girls School.

"We have continued to sustain the excellence amidst all the GCSE reforms.

"Full credit to our learners, staff, parents and governors who are relentless in our pursuit of excellence for all.

" Another significant factor in our sustained success is our successful partnership with parents, community and families of schools and colleges in Bolton."

He added: "Everyone associated with Bolton Muslim Girls School is very proud of the ‘journey’ we have been on over the last few years.

"Our success doesn’t breed complacency though and we are determined to continue getting better and better."

The department for education did not publish the results for Bolton School as in some subjects students take the iGCSE. However, at the boys division at 98.5 per cent achieved five or more A* to C GCEs in the girls' division that figure was 100 per cent. The school was top for the percentage achieving AAB or higher in A-level.

Philip Britton, head of boys' division, said: "I am especially pleased to see our value added rating at A level is as strong as it is. This shows that our top two position in AAB scores in facilitating subjects, which leads the boys to excellent University places, is very much related to the hard work of the boys and the expertise of my colleagues, just as much as it is to us being a selective school. It is terrific validation, for the third year running, of the value we add to results at sixth form."