SCHOOLS in Bolton had plenty to celebrate, posting a rise in their GCSE pass rate or, in some cases, record-breaking results.

Nationally the numbers of pupils achieving a top grade fell to its lowest level for almost 10 years.

Headline figures in Bolton saw the number achieving five or more GCSEs up by 1.6 per cent to 95.5 per cent, the number of pupils achieving top grades in English and maths was up by 0.2 per cent to 58.7 per cent, and those achieving five or more A* to C passes including in English and maths dropped slightly by 0.9 per cent to 55.9 per cent — but early indications suggest the drop is lower than the national fall.

Nationally, the proportion of candidates gaining a grade C or above fell to the lowest level since 2008.

And there was a big drop in the number achieving grade C or above in English which fell by more than five per cent to 60.2 per cent, and in maths the dip was more than two per cent to 61 per cent this year.

PICTURE GALLERY: Bolton students enjoy GCSE success

John Daly, Bolton Council’s director of people, said: “We congratulate all our pupils who have received their GCSE results, and say how proud we are of their achievements.

“The percentage of pupils attaining five or more GCSEs — A* to G — has improved in Bolton again this year, with 95.5 per cent of our 3,000-plus students successfully passing their exams.

“This year also sees the introduction of new GCSE performance measures.

“A new Basics measure, which assesses GCSE performance in English and mathematics, is in place and an average points score across eight subjects, Attainment 8, has also been introduced.

“From the provisional results, 58.9 per cent of Bolton’s children achieved the Basics measure and our Attainment 8 score was 48.5.

“Some schools have seen strong improvements in the number of pupils gaining A* to C grades in English and maths, including Ladybridge, Little Lever, Rivington & Blackrod, Thornleigh and Turton School, which shows that Bolton is continuing to aim high.

“The borough’s schools and colleges have worked hard to drive up standards and have plenty to celebrate with these results.”

Thornleigh Salesian College celebrated its best examination results, with 75 per cent gaining the benchmark standard of young people gaining five or more top-graded results including English and maths — an increase of seven per cent.

Head teacher Alison Burrowes said: “This set of results demonstrates the individual care, nurturing and support each child gets here to enable them to achieve their best. I am so grateful for the hard work, commitment and dedication of all the staff. Together with the parents, we have worked tirelessly to secure these results and we look forward to welcoming the majority of our students back into our sixth form to continue their studies.”

The class of 2016 at St James’s CE High School, Farnworth, achieved some of the best results in the institution’s history, with 80 per cent securing the benchmark.

Head teacher Tania Lewyckyj said: “I would like to congratulate pupils, parents and our staff for working together to achieve these fantastic results.”

At Rivington & Blackrod High School, Horwich, the five A* to C including English and maths pass rate rose by 10 per cent to 61 achieving the standard.

Head teacher Tony Purcell said: “We are delighted by the way in which each of our young people has grown academically and personally throughout their time at the school.”

Turton School saw a five per cent increase to 65 per cent of teenagers gaining five or more A* to C including the core subjects. Head teacher Sam Gorse said: “I am delighted and impressed by the resilience and incredible achievements of our students. Congratulations to all our Year 11 students. These are excellent results to add to their portfolio.”