HIGH schools in Bury are continuing to perform better than the national average, according to new tables released on Thursday.

In Bury, 57.8 per cent of pupils gained five A to C grades - just above the national average of 57.1 per cent and a four per cent rise from last year.

The number of pupils gaining five or more grade A to G GCSEs is five per cent above the national average, with a success rate of 95.4 per cent compared to 90.2 per cent nationwide.

Truancy levels remained the same as last year, with 0.5 per cent of half-day absences unauthorised, but still beat the national average of 1.3 per cent.

The school topping the table is Bury Grammar Girls School where 100 per cent of pupils gained at least five of the highest grades.

Last year the Bridge Road school was ranked in third place behind Manchester Mesivta School in Prestwich and Bury Grammar Boys School.

Deputy Headteacher Mrs Lynda Billinge said: "We are really delighted to see our girls achieve so highly. They have taken GCSEs in their stride while continuing to contribute to their school and wider community and we are very proud."

St Monica's in Prestwich was once again named as the top performing state school in the five A to C category with a pass rate of 83 per cent, a five per cent rise from 2005.

Bury Council's executive member for children and young people, Councillor Maggie Gibb, said: "This excellent performance is the reward for much hard work from Bury's children, their parents and school staff. All are to be warmly congratulated.

"I am particularly pleased that, not only are results in every subject well above the national average, but also the progress that children make in Bury schools is above the national average.

"This is a tremendous achievement."