Young people at a school with the lowest results in Yorkshire have hit back saying: 'Don't say we're the worst'.

The pupils at Bradford Cathedral Community College in Bowling have signed a petition in support of their teachers, who they say are doing a great job.

The pupils have backed a new regime introduced by new head teacher David Kershaw.

The petition was organised by two friends from class 11 C, Admir Zenkovic and Paul Gamble.

Their action followed the publication of school league tables showing that at GCSE level Cathedral College could only get five per cent of its pupils to the standard benchmark of five 'good' A-C passes. The results were the lowest in Yorkshire and the fourth lowest nationally.

The Government has previously threatened that any school that cannot rise above 20 per cent could face closure. But the youngsters are angry that their school has been labelled and insist it is "not the worst school in Bradford".

"It is not the worst school, it is only the school with a lot of changes going on," said Admir.

Classmate Paul added: "The fact of teachers leaving is nothing to do with our low rate of GCSE results. It's because they have had offers."

The youngsters who signed the petition praise year heads for their work helping keep pupils on track and the dedication of new staff.

Debbie Childs, of the Bradford Diocese, said: "The college has had a difficult year - almost doubling pupil numbers, having a shortage of staff and coping with an extensive building programme."