At Norton Hill School in Midsomer Norton, students produced a superb set of GCSE results with more than 75 per cent achieving a grade 4 pass in both English and maths.

This is equivalent to the old A*"C measure. The percentage of students achieving a grade 5 or above in both subjects currently stands at more than 50 per cent. Nationally, the figure is thought to be around 45 per cent this year.

In other areas of the curriculum, the results came in at high levels. Science saw close to 80 per cent of grades at 4 or above, and most other subjects were above 70 per cent of grades at 9-4.

In the five or more 9-4/A*"C including English and maths measure, the school achieved more than 70 per cent in this gold standard. In terms of progress, Norton Hill expects again to be in the top 25 per cent nationally.

Head teacher Gordon Green said: "I am very proud of the efforts made by all the students and it is especially pleasing to realise such good outcomes from our disadvantaged children and those with a special educational need again this year.

"Attainment remains well above the national level and almost all children have been able to progress to the Sixth Form or their apprenticeship."