A Beccles school is celebrating this half term after becoming one of the top performing schools in the country for its GCSE results.

Schools Minister David Laws has written to the Sir John Leman High School in Beccles to offer his personal congratulations.

In the letter to head teacher Jeremy Rowe, the government minister said: 'Your school has proven to be one of the top 90 in England showing the greatest sustained improvement in the percentage of pupils achieving A*-C grade GCSEs or equivalent, including English and maths.

'I would like to congratulate your staff, governors, parents and pupils for their hard work and success, and thank you for your leadership in making such a difference to the future success of your pupils.

'Finally, I would also encourage you to share your achievements with other schools so that they can learn from your strengths and experience.'

Mr Rowe said he was 'amazed' when he learnt that the school was in the top 90 of the country for its GCSE results.

He said: 'I know we have been doing really well when compared with other schools in Suffolk and Norfolk but to be so highly rated in the country is just wonderful.

'For the past few years I have looked at our results and thought it will be difficult to beat this set and carry on improving but our pupils keep coming up with some outstanding results.'

Mr Rowe praised the efforts of the pupils, teachers, parents and governors which have led to the school being so successful.

When the latest set of GCSE results were announced in August 2014 students at the school set a new record for pass rates.

The year saw 63pc of students achieve five or more A* to C passes including English and maths which was up from 57pc in 2013.

To make it a double success the school has also been congratulated in helping disadvantaged pupils with their results.

In the letter the schools minister said: 'Your results show that you have improved in terms of the attainment and value-added progress of your disadvantaged pupils since 2011, and that you are increasingly effective at educating your disadvantaged pupils.

'It is clear that you and your staff have provided your disadvantaged pupils with a good start in life and prepared them well for their futures.'