TOP Valley School recorded one of the biggest improvements in results across the country.
While barely a third – 35 per cent – of students gained five A* to C grades including English and maths in 2011, this climbed to 57 per cent last summer, to the delight of head teacher Peter Brown.
He said: "They were a great set of results, which we were very proud of here. They really reflected the progression that has been made in teaching and learning here.
"Considering where we have come from as a school, it has been a fantastic rise in attainment and one which we feel we can celebrate.
"Our students worked very hard and it was terrific to see them get the results they deserved in August."
Mr Brown has overseen the school's recent transformation into an academy.
In spite of his delight over last year's results, he is refusing to be complacent about the GCSE exams in the coming year.
He said: "We have to continue to work hard. We won't be sitting back with our feet on the desk.
"We want our students who sit exams this year to be just as successful."
The city's top two schools were the boys' and girls' High Schools, both of which saw 99 per cent of students reach the benchmark.
Susan Gorham, head teacher at the Girls' High School, said: "Excellent results are always the product of hard work and effort."
The best-performing non-fee-paying school was Bluecoat Academy in Aspley, where 71 per cent reached the benchmark.
