SCHOOLS across Worcestershire are celebrating after the latest GCSE league tables revealed results are on the up.

Worcestershire produced an average of 61.5 per cent of pupils scoring five or more A*-C grades at GCSE, the level used as a benchmark.

This was an improvement on last year's 57.5 per cent but slightly lower than the national average of 62 per cent.

Worcester's top state school was once again Blessed Edward Oldcorne Catholic College, where 80 per cent of pupils scored five A*-C grades, up on last year's 72 per cent.

Headteacher Sean Devlin said: "The college is very proud of the academic success of our pupils last year.

"They achieved the best set of results ever in the college and this has enabled virtualluy all of our pupils to proceed on to the post-16 courses of their choice and into employment.

"The success is testimony to the hard work and dedication of all the staff, especially teachers, and the partnership with parents."

Elsewhere in the city, Nunnery Wood High School got 68 per cent, Bishop Perowne CE College scored 60 per cent, and Christopher Whitehead got 58 per cent. At Elgar Technology College, 42 per cent of pupils gained five or more A*-C grades at GCSE - a huge improvement on last year's 27 per cent.

Worcester's private schools scored highly, with 100 per cent of pupils at both King's School and St Mary's Convent School getting five or more A*-C grades, followed by 99 per cent at the Royal Grammar School Worcester and The Alice Ottley School (RGSAO), and 90 per cent of pupils at the River School.

Elsewhere in the county, at the Chantry High School at Martley, 69 per cent of pupils reached the benchmark, while 60 per cent of pupils at Droitwich Spa High gained five or more A*-C grades. Pershore High School got 67 per cent, Hanley Castle High School got 76 per cent and Tenbury High School got 73 per cent.

Hanley Castle head Robert Harring said: "We are delighted with how our pupils did last year, which is a reflection not only of the ability of the students but the hard work and commitment of the staff."

In Malvern, 60 per cent of students at Dyson Perrins CE High School hit the benchmark and The Chase got 69 per cent.

Evesham schools also fared well, with Evesham High School scoring 63 per cent and Prince Henry's High School scoring 71 per cent.

Coun Liz Eyre, county council cabinet member for children and young people, said: "It is great news that Worcestershire's results have risen, especially given all the huge changes in the county over the past 12 months. There has been the Wyre Forest Review and changes in social care.

"The fact that the county has held its own shows we are keeping our eye on the ball and is testament to all the hard work of the schools, staff, parents and students."

  • Click here to see the 2007 GCSE and A-level school performance tables for Worcestershire.