Lawrence Sheriff School’s place at the top of the GCSE league table will give its head welcome respite from his football team’s performance.

Peter Kent (pictured left with assistant head Melissa Hipkins) is an avid Liverpool fan, but while his team is in mid-table obscurity his school is league champion.

It is the second time the boys’ grammar has achieved the feat and Dr Kent believes the success is down to “a combination of things”: we have very strong, hardworking and committed teachers who are supported by similarly hardworking and committed students,” he said.

“We have a very personalised curriculum, which has had a very positive impact on the students. They are doing what they really want to do.

“We really hadn’t anticipated it, but it is a tremendous achievement.

“Obviously, we are not trying to be top of performance tables, but it is nice when it happens - particularly as I am a Liverpool supporter and there isn’t much chance of them coming top of any table any time soon.”