Gillian Hammond, assistant vice-principal, said the key to success was focusing on core elements to help them pass exams.
She said: “Every student is expected to attend at least two hours of extra-curriculum enrichment per week to allow them to learn new skills and to consolidate examination skills in the classroom.
“This extra time has proven invaluable to students in boosting the exam results.”
But the city also has some of the worst schools, ranked in the bottom 200 across the country, including Shorefields Comprehensive, Dingle; the Academy of St Francis of Assisi, Kensington; New Heys Comprehensive, Allerton; St Ambrose Barlow Catholic College, Bootle; St. George of England specialist engineering college, Bootle; Croxteth Comprehensive; and Broadgreen International School.
Wirral also returned above average results and was home to some of the top 200 schools, including Wirral Grammar School for Girls, Bebington; Calday Grange Grammar School, West Kirby; Upton Hall School for Girls, Upton; West Kirby Grammar School and St Anselm’s College, Prenton. Sefton’s pass rate for five good GCSEs rose from 71.2 to 77.4%.
Warrington excelled above all the authorities, with 59.8% of students getting five or more A*-C grades, including English and maths, and 77.4% getting five good GCSEs.
Three of the town’s schools – Birchwood Community High, Great Sankey High and Woolston Community High – are also listed in the top most improved schools across the country over the last five years.
But the picture was bleaker in Knowsley, which despite rising off the bottom of the league table last year slipped back to being the worst in the country for its pass rate including English and maths.
However, pupils getting five good grades have risen from 57% to 64%; including English and maths, the figure rose to 33.5% – up from 29.9%
Cllr Graham Wright, Knowsley Council’s cabinet member for children’s services, said he was pleased the results had risen for the 11th year in the row.
He added: “Many strides forward have been made to improve attainment and the seven new £150m Centres for Learning which I’m confident will produce step changes in our rate of progression against national standard."
