A NEW timetable and enrichment activities were the key to making Smithills School number one in the borough when it came to getting the best out of its pupils.

The school was given the highest score for measuring pupil performance in the borough in the key stage three results recently published. The tests measure the performance of 14-year-old pupils.

Assistant headteacher Chris Wormald said: "The success is due to a number of strategies which included the reworking of the timetable in ways to improve concentration. For example, assembly has been moved, lunch times are now staggered and we have introduced more courses.

"We also have enrichment activities which improve learning. We are very optimistic these results will lead to good GCSE results."