A school has been awarded the Incorporated Society of Musicians’ Gold certificate for their latest GCSE results.

The Purcell School, in Bushey, was also ranked Number 1 in the UK for having achieved more than 95 per cent A* to A grades in GCSE music.

Over the last five years the school has achieved 99 per cent of their pupils gaining A* to C and more than 90 per cent A or A* in music.

Stephen Yeo, head teacher said: “As a specialist music school, we would expect to achieve highly in this subject but naturally we are thrilled and proud to be ranked first in the UK.

“We are very pleased that the Incorporated Society of Musicians is recognising music departments throughout the country in this way.”

The school is a boarding and day school educating 180 musicians aged from nine to 18.

Deborah Annetts, chief executive of the Incorporated Society of Musicians, said: “Music is a hugely important subject in itself for future professional careers and for wider learning in a school.

“It adds huge benefits to the wider curriculum, school and community life and educational opportunity.

“As the professional body for musicians, we are delighted to recognise this high level of achievement with this certificate.”

The certificate is supported by the ISM Trust (www.ismtrust.org), the charitable arm of the Incorporated Society of Musicians.