BOLTON School girls’ division is among the best in the Greater Manchester - based on its GCSE results.

The school was placed fourth out of 12 independent schools which were ranked by the proportion of exam entries awarded A or A* grades.

At Bolton School girls’ division 67.06 exam papers achieved the top grades.

Top of the table was The Manchester Grammar School, where 92.04 per cent of exam entries achieved an A* or A.

The numbers of girls achieving five or more A* to C grades at Bolton School stood at a near perfect 99.48 per cent.

Headmistress Sue Hincks:"It is wonderful to see the girls’ exceptional results and I am delighted for them and their teachers that their talents and hard work have been so richly rewarded.”

Bolton School boys’ division was placed seventh where 54.37 per cent of grades were at A* or A.

The numbers of boys achieving the benchmark of achieving five or more A* to C grades was 96.13 per cent.

Neighbouring Bury Grammar Girls School was placed sixth with 55.14 per cent of exams being marked at the top grades and the boys' school was placed 10th with 44.50 per cent of exam entries grades at A* or A.

The tables were compiled by data provided by the Independent Schools Council.

Nationally, figures showed that almost one third of GCSE entries from private school pupils were awarded the top grade this year.

Overall, a typical teenager attending a private school scored the equivalent of two A* grades and seven As.

The data also revealed a continuing trend of fee-paying schools choosing international GCSEs (IGCSE) over the traditional exams including Bolton School boys' division where IGCSE is preferred in maths.

IGCSE are said to be tougher and better suited to pupils' needs.