EAST Lancashire high schools produce some of the country’s top subject grades, according to a new parents’ guide.

The Good Schools Guide 2011 has highlighted six of the area’s secondary schools as leaders in a particular subject or course based on the latest GCSE results.

The guide, now in its 25th year, includes more than 1,100 schools and gives parents an additional resource for choosing schools for their children.

This year:

  • Bowland High School, Grindleton, was named as best in the country for boys taking biology at GCSE
  • Bacup and Rawtenstall Grammar School was the best English grammar school for girls taking social science: citizenship at GCSE at short course level
  • Clitheroe Royal Grammar School was named as best English grammar school for boys and girls taking German at GCSE
  • Haslingden High School was named as the best in the country for girls gaining starred distinctions in the BTEC First Diploma in systems / network management
  • Al-Islah School, Blackburn, was named the best Independent School for girls gaining starred distinctions in the BTEC First Certificate in Health and Social Care
  • Islamiyah School Blackburn was named the best Independent School for girls taking social science: citizenship at GCSE short course level

Bowland High School headteacher Mr Stephen Cox said: “Our science results are always incredible, but to be above all other schools in England in biology is a remarkable achievement for a small, non-selective school.”

Clitheroe Royal Grammar School headteacher Judith Child said: “We have been awarded GCSE Awards for the best point scores at an English grammar school for both boys and girls taking German at GCSE.

"We are very proud of our students and staff who work so hard to achieve these results.

"These awards recognise that Clitheroe Royal Grammar School achieves outstanding results, not only locally, but also at national level.”