KNOWSLEY has been ranked as the worst performing authority across the country.

It means the authority, which was bottom of the league in 2008, has slipped backwards despite improving figures.

The news comes as the authority had passed the government targets of 30% but still lags behind all the other Merseyside authorities.

The number of students gaining five A*-Cs, including maths and English, has risen to 33.5%, beating last year’s 29.9%.

More students are also getting five good A*-C grades, with 64% getting the marks, up on 57% last year.

The council has replaced 10 ageing secondaries with seven new schools it calls centres for learning.

Schools ending on a high note included Higher Side Community Comprehensive School, in Whiston.

And Bowring Community Sports College, in Huyton, improved by 4%.

The secondary, which, with Prescot school, has been replaced by Knowsley Park centre for learning, saw its pass rate for pupils getting five good grades including maths and English rise from 19% to 31%.

Cllr Graham Wright, Knowsley Council’s cabinet member for children’s services, said: “I am pleased that final results published today show that for the 11th year running Knowsley’s GCSE results have improved.

“I am pleased to see the percentage of young people attaining five GCSE grades A* to C rise to 64% and the figure, including English and maths, rise to 33.5%.

“Our young people are consistently improving in their GCSE exams.

“And it is also important to note that more than 59.6% of our pupils also achieved passes in two or more science subjects.

“Well done to all those pupils, parents and teachers who have worked so hard to achieve these results.”

For a full Knowsley league table - click here