STUDENTS in St Helens have improved but still fall behind the national average in figures, including maths and English.

Pupils gaining five A*-C, including maths and English, rose from 44.2% to 47.4%, edging closer to this year’s national average of 49.8%.

The number of pupils getting five good A*-C GCSEs has also risen from 68% to 71.4%, bringing the authority above the national average of 70%.

The best-performing school was Tower College, in Rainhill, where 94% of the independent day school students got five or more A*-C grades including English and maths.

Cllr Shirley Evans, executive member for children and young people’s services, said: “More St Helens pupils than ever are now achieving five or more good GCSEs.

“I look forward to seeing the vast majority now going on to sixth form, further education or work-based training.

“This is great news and I congratulate the schools and local authority staff for their hard work in achieving these improvements across our schools.”

IN HALTON, the percentage of students gaining five or more A*-C grades has marginally improved to 71.5%, beating the national average of 70%.

But there has been a fall in the number of students getting five or more A*-C grades, including English and maths, from 49.3% in 2008 to 44.6% in 2009.

Last year, the pass rate fell above the national average. This year, the 44.6% figure falls below the 49.8% national average.

Wade Deacon High School was this year’s best performer, with 72% of its 219 students getting five or more A*-C, including English and maths, despite the school losing 6% on the previous year’s figure.

It was followed by The Heath School where 53% of students got the key A*-C grades including English and maths.

The worst was Halton High School, Murdishaw, where 21% of students got five or more A*-Cs with English and maths.

Full league tables for Halton - click here

Full league tables for St Helens - click here