IT IS straight to the top of the class for Turton High School pupil Anita Brooks after her skills in English saw her placed among the top five GCSE students in the country out of a field of 350,000 candidates.

Anita, aged 16, of Harwood, is one of a trio from Turton who came top in the tests with Heaton girl Nicola Ayton getting in the top five in Politics and Bromley Cross teenager Jennifer Nash earning the same honour in Science.

Praise

School spokesman John Porteus heaped praise on the threesome.

"They have worked hard and they deserve every success," he said. "But it won't be goodbye now for us because all three are staying on at Turton to do their A-Levels."

As a whole the school has experienced its best year to date with 100 per cent of the pupils achieving five or more A to G grades.

Headteacher Frank Vigon said: "These are excellent results and reflect great credit on our students. It shows what comprehensive education can provide."

He added: "We now look forward to the opening of the new Sixth Form buildings in the Autumn which will allow these students to continue enjoying excellent learning opportunities."