A school in Finchley has come top of a Government league table released last week.

St Michael’s Catholic Grammar School, a girl’s school with a mixed sixth-form in Nether Street, was the top state school in the country, based on the English Baccalaureate.

Of its GCSE students, 97 per cent of pupils gained the EBacc, which is an additional qualification awarded to students who pass GCSEs in maths, English, sciences, a modern foreign language and either history or geography.

Headmistress Ursula Morrissey, said: “I am delighted, thrilled for our students who work terribly hard, for the teachers who helped them achieve the grades, and for the parents who supported them.

“This helps to confirm our decision to focus on the traditional subjects which best suit our students.”

Across England, 17.6 per cent gained the EBacc in 2011, the figure was 31.6 per cent in Barnet.

Councillor Andrew Harper, cabinet member for education, children and families said: "It’s pleasing to see our schools consistently outperforming the national average, which is another indication that the council is rapidly working towards its goal of every school being a good school for every child."

The EBacc was introduced two years ago, as part of an attempt by the Government to encourage schools to value core subjects.

The league tables are published once a year and are an official Government record of how a school is performing.