ONLY one school in Halton this week exceeded the national average GCSE results while the rest fell well below.

For the third year running, 60 per cent of pupils at Wade Deacon High School achieved five or more passes at the benchmark assessment of grades A* to C - the national average is 56.6 per cent.

Halton's average is 38 per cent but some Runcorn schools returned results as low as 12 and 15 per cent of pupils scoring five or more A* to C passes.

Unlike the rest of the country, Wade Deacon boys fared better than the girls, gaining 61 per cent to the girls' 59 per cent.

This week, headteacher Mr Peter Barry spoke exclusively to the World about his school's remarkable success.

He dispelled myths that his school's history as a former grammar school gave it an advantage over other schools in the borough.

He said: "We haven't got a privileged intake. A lot of people in Widnes still look upon us as though we are still a grammar school. We are fully comprehensive, proved by tests on entry.

"We have a special unit for hearing impaired pupils. We work at all our children, we believe in giving them every possible chance in life."

Mr Barry says there is no reason why other schools in Halton could not emulate their success.

"It's just good teaching by a hard-working staff, time, effort and commitment."

Seventy per cent of his 63 teaching staff are on promoted posts, earning more than the basic grade after taking on extra responsibilities.

The school also has Investors in People status, encouraging staff to develop their careers.

"We are a community school. We are all singing from the same hymn sheet. We all know exactly what we have to do."

Mr Barry, who has led the school for the past five years, says it isn't just a nine to five job.

He has only taken a fortnight off over the summer and is usually at school from 7.30am-6.30pm.

"I inherited a good school from my predecessor, Judith Jackson, but I'm aiming for even higher figures, into the 70s.

"You've got to aim for the top. I'm thrilled for the children, it's their future that counts.

"Our success is a tribute to all the hard work that staff and pupils have put in."

Halton Council this week declined to comment on the borough's exam results.

These are the percentages of pupils who gained five or more GCSEs grades A-C at Halton's other secondary schools: Bankfield 42 per cent, Brookvale 12 per cent, Fairfield 42 per cent, Grange 26 per cent, Heath 46 per cent, Norton Priory 15 per cent, SS Peter & Paul RC 43 per cent, St Chad's RC 34 per cent.

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