BOLTON Muslim Girls is the top 20 schools in the country for the amount of progress pupils make during their secondary school years.

The school was the number one state-school in Bolton based on both the Progress 8 measure and for the high grades pupils leave with at GCSE. And nationally it is placed 15th in the country for the progress girls make during their five years, which is well above average.

The progress 8 score shows how much progress pupils made between the end of key stage 2 and the end of key stage 4, compared to pupils across England who got similar results at the end of primary school. And 68.9 per cent left with top grades in English and maths ­— 9-5.

This is compared to a Bolton average of 40.9 per cent and overall in Bolton children make below average progress while at school

Headteacher Idrish Patel, said: "We are extremely delighted Bolton Muslim Girls’ School has been ranked within the top 20 schools nationally for the Government’s headline Progress 8 measure.

"Our 2019 GCSE results are once again characterised by high levels of achievement regardless of our students’ starting point at Key Stage Two. The recent publication of league table shows that once again, Bolton Muslim Girls' School students regardless of their socio economic background and deprivation made significantly better progress than their peers did nationally. Results in English, maths and science are significantly above the local and national averages.

“I am incredibly proud of the achievement of our Class of 2019. This year’s results are particularly pleasing because of the high number of students who achieved Grade 8 and 9 across a number of subjects.

"Progress 8 isn’t a reflection of a schools results but of the progress from students entering the school to their exit. This is a remarkable achievement given the challenge of the reformed GCSE examinations. However, I am delighted for all of our students.

"None of these fantastic results would have been possible were it not for the professionalism, resilience and dedication of our staff, governors and trustees. I also thank the parents and carers of our Year 11 students for the encouragement they have given their children in their studies and for their co-operation with the school, all of which contributed to these excellent outcomes. These results mean that our students leave us now being able to access a wide range of post-16 courses at college and they have the skills and knowledge valued by employers. The school is delighted that the high quality of education on offer has been validated at a national level."