A KEARSLEY secondary school has been praised for showing sustained improvement over the last two years

George Tomlinson School has been singled out by Schools Standards Minister Stephen Twigg who said in the national Key Stage 3 tests the school was one of the top 100 fastest improving schools based on sustained improvement since 2002.

But only Canon Slade had more than 90 per cent of its pupils achieving the required level five in English, maths and science tests. Overall, Bolton schools did not reach the national average for achievement by 14-year-olds.

Minister Stephen Twigg praising George Tomlinson School said: "This is a tribute to the dedication of pupils and staff at George Tomlinson School. Whilst nobody is saying the schools we are highlighting today haven't still got issues to focus on, it is important we do recognise where there has been real improvement."

The Key Stage 3 performance tables issued by the government today reveal only Canon Slade High School had more than 90pc of its pupils achieving the required level five in tests, putting it among the top 40 per cent of schools in the country.

The Bradshaw Brow school is also the only one in the borough to achieve better than national average value added scores, which reflect the progress made by pupils since their Key Stage 2 exams were sat in the final year at primary school.

Canon Slade deputy headteacher Julian Pollard said he was delighted with the results. He said: "It is largely due to the hard work of the staff in ensuring every child achieves his or her potential."

In maths 71 per cent of Bolton youngsters achieved level five - two per cent lower than the national average.

The gap is wider in English, with 66 per cent of pupils reaching level five - five per cent less than nationally and 62 per cent of pupils gained level five science - four per cent down on the national average. Neighbouring Bury fared better with its schools achieving results higher than the national average.

Withins High School came bottom of the performance table in Bolton with its value added results making it one of the bottom five per cent of schools in the country. It is ranked as the 27th poorest performing school in the country.

Only 29 per cent of its pupils sitting the test gained level five in science and 32 per cent in English although nearly half the pupils did reach the required level in maths. The school has only recently come out of special measures after it was deemed to be failing in 2003 by Ofsted inspectors.

Bolton has been ranked 99th out of 150 local authorities in the country based on the points scored in the tests by pupils. Bury comes in 57th while Wigan comes 86th and Salford is in 124th place.

Cllr Carole Swarbrick, executive member for education, said schooling in the borough had suffered difficulties in recent times but had a brighter future.

She added: "These figures are below the national average but if you look at the bigger picture things are getting better. Withins' results are disappointing but the school is now out of special measures and we expect to see a real improvement soon.

"There are also big hopes for the new Ladybridge School."