DERBY High marked a "tremendous celebration of achievement at the end of a remarkable year" with its lower school prizegiving ceremony.

In an upbeat speech to parents, students, staff, governors and guests, headteacher Mrs Alyson Byrne hailed an "exceptional year" for the Radcliffe Road school.

On academic achievement, she said: "Over the last 12 years, our results year on year have risen and risen again. Today, the Derby High School is one of the top performing schools in Bury local authority with 60 per cent of students gaining five good GCSEs, including English and mathematics. In terms of achievement, we are in the top 20 per cent of all schools in the country."

Mrs Byrne also referred to the Specialist Schools and Academies Trust which had stated that the Derby "is one of the best in the country for student progress at GCSE.

achievement."

She added that the last school Ofsted report described “a culture of high aspiration and ambition and a determination to provide the best life chances for all of our students”.

The headteacher outlined a number of highlights during the past year. And looking ahead, Mrs Byrne revealed: "In this next school year, British astronaut Tim Peake will launch into space and spend six months on a manned international space station. I am delighted to announce that the Derby High School has been selected as the first choice school to link up live with Tim Peake as he orbits the earth."

She continued: "In terms of facilities, with the official launch of our new sports hall we have one of the best estates in the borough and are hugely appreciative of the support we have received from Bury Council."

Mrs Byrne concluded by congratulating governor Lt Col Eric Davidson, who has been granted Freedom of the Borough, and paying tribute to the contribution made by chairman of governors Mr Peter Whitnall, vice chairman of governors Mrs Christine Salmon, fellow governors and parents.