BOLTON School has criticised the way the Government’s GCSE league tables are formulated.

The boys’ division is at the bottom of the table because pupils sit the international GCSE (IGCSE) for maths and English, ministers do not recognise.

Headteacher Philip Britton said: “Many of the top independent schools are moving away from publishing league table data where possible, partly because the Government refuses to acknowledge a wide enough range of qualifications.

“A school such as Bolton School has much more to offer than can be accurately reflected in any league table position, however high.”

The girls’ division was the best performing school in Bolton, but head Gill Richards said the league tables did not tell the full story.

She said: “We were delighted with the GCSE results this year, but I am sceptical about league tables, particularly as some very good schools, like the boys’ division, are penalised and not ranked because they offer IGCSEs.”