BOLTON pupils have performed better than their counterparts in other parts of the country, the town's education chiefs have revealed.

As predicted in the BEN, hopes of a bumper year for GCSE results in the town are set to become a reality, with education chiefs "cock-a-hoop" at pupil performance.

The LEA says this year's results are still provisional but the level of improvement at A* to C grade has "left the rest of the country standing".

Last year 41.3 per cent of the pupils in Bolton LEA schools achieved five or more A* - C grades in their GCSE/GNVQ examinations.

This year the figure climbed to 45.5 per cent, a rise of 4.2 per cent against a national increase of about 0.5 per cent.

In one troubled school improvements in pass rates are something to shout about. The Deane School, previously branded as "failing" by Ofsted, has seen its pass rate improve by a massive six per cent.

Newly-appointed headteacher Tony Hill said he was hoping to build on the positive start to the year.

"The exam results have been a great boost to us because for a number of reasons last year was a very difficult year," he said.

"We have seen some outstanding student performances. In one subject alone, Drama, we have seen nine out of the 25 pupils taking the exam achieve an A* grade and I doubt you will get better than that anywhere.

"We must congratulate all our pupils and staff for their hard work and dedication."

Cllr Linda Thomas, Bolton Council executive member for education, added: "These results are excellent and reflect the hard work by our teachers and pupils."

During the BEN's coverage of the GCSE results for Withins School some results were accidentally omitted. G Kay received nine A* to G passes and N Sheffield received nine A* to G passes. While the omission was no fault of the BEN's we are happy to include these results.