Huddersfield schools posted above-average GCSE and A level results – but only just.

Department for Education (DfE) statistics for 2014 show that 56% of Kirklees students got at least five A* to C GCSEs – including English and maths – compared with 53.4% nationally.

This was lower than the previous year as, for the first time, only first entry results were counted – not re-takes – and more emphasis was placed on exams instead rather than course work.

The margins were even tighter for A levels.

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In Kirklees 79.9% of students got at least three A* to E grades at A-Level or vocational equivalent, compared with 79.5% nationally.

Top of the GCSE class for Kirklees was Heckmondwike Grammar, a selective school, with 98%.

But not even Heckmondwike could beat Calderdale’s top school – The Crossley Heath – with a perfect 100%.

Other leading Kirklees schools were: Batley Grammar 78%, Huddersfield Grammar 76%, Honley High 74%, Netherhall 72%, King James 71%, The Mirfield Free Grammar 63%, All Saints 63%, St John Fisher 62% and Shelley College 61%.

A number of schools were on 59%, including Castle Hall Academy, Holmfirth High, Batley Girls, Salendine Nook and Whitcliffe Mount.

Results are not recorded for Colne Valley High, the largest school in Kirklees.

At the other end of the scale, the lowest recorded GCSE results were by Thornhill Community Academy, star of the Educating Yorkshire documentary series, with a 17% success rate.

In Calderdale, North Halifax Grammar achieved 92%, Rastrick High was third with 73%, Brighouse High was fourth with 68%.

Greenhead College once again came out on top of the A level results with 99% of students getting three A* to E grades – but they had some stiff competition.

Heckmondwike and Calderdale’s Crossley Heath also achieved 99%, but had a slightly lower points average per student.

Next up was Shelley College with 78% followed by The Mirfield Free Grammar.

Clr Shabir Pandor, Kirklees Cabinet member for Children’s Services, said: “Thousands of young people put in an incredible amount of hard work to achieve their outcomes.

“This final data from the DfE reflects students’ commitment and is also a tribute to the talent and dedication of staff in schools and colleges.

“It’s very unfortunate that the government has altered the way it records results, as this means the best achievements of young people are often not being reflected. This has also had an unfairly negative impact on schools.

“Local results reflected the countrywide picture, which was volatile, but it is very pleasing that Kirklees continues to perform above the national average.

“These successes are due to many factors – committed students, supportive families, good schools and colleges and the excellent work of the local authority as a leader in local education.

“Our aim is always to help young people be rounded, resilient and ready when they move on to the next stage in their lives.”