SECONDARY schools in Bury are continuing to perform better than the national average according to new tables released today.

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

However, the number of pupils gaining five or more grade A to G 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.

St Monica's High School 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.

It was a record-breaking year for the Bury Old Road school with 79 per cent of the boys and 84 per cent of the girls gaining five or more of the top grades and 19 pupils achieving nine A* and A grades.

Headteacher Mr Frank McCarron put the results down to good teaching, firm discipline and a caring approach. He said: "St Monica's is absolutely delighted with the league table results. The staff and students worked so hard to achieve this having numerous revision sessions after school and on Saturday morning. I am overwhelmed with the results."

The school topping the table overall 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 of Bury Grammar Girls, 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."

Last year's number one school, Manchester Mesivta, is ranked in third place while Bury Grammar Boys School remains in second place. Parrenthorn High School climbed five places to number seven with a pass rate of 63 per cent, Philips High School in Whitefield moved up one spot to number 11 while Prestwich Arts College dropped one place to number 14.

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."