Staff and pupils at Bishop Heber High School have reason to celebrate after receiving a glowing letter from the Minister of State for Schools.

The minister has congratulated them for being one of the top 100 non-selective state funded schools showing the greatest sustained improvement in the percentage of pupils achieving five or more A*-C grade GCSEs.

David Laws MP commended Bishop Heber for their performance between 2011 and 2013.

Mr Laws wrote: “The results this year, and the sustained improvement over the last three, are a shining testament to the hard work and success of your staff, governors and pupils.”

He added: “Your school is clearly equipping its pupils for success in both further study and future employment.”

Delighted headteacher David Curry said that staff and students should be ‘justifiably proud of their fantastic results’.

He said: “My warmest congratulations to all our students who, with the tireless support of their teachers and families, have worked extremely hard. 

“This has been another very good year for GCSEs at Bishop Heber.  We are all delighted with the overall pass rates and these results highlight the excellent learning and teaching that takes place here year after year.

“It is our best set of results yet and shows that Bishop Heber High School continues to prepare its students for the challenges of A-level and beyond.

“This is a wonderful achievement for both students and staff, and is testimony to their hard work and commitment.  I would like to congratulate all our students on their success.

“The hard work of the students themselves, together with the excellent teaching of my colleagues on the staff and the support of the students’ families has led to these outstanding results.”