Independent schools in Worcester and Malvern have hit top ratings.

According to the latest league tables, released today, nearly every student in these schools leaves with at least five GCSEs A* to C.

In fact, at four of

Worcester and Malvern's independent schools, 100 per cent achieve those qualifications, equivalent to five old O-levels.

Every student at Alice Ottley, the King's School, the Royal Grammar School and Malvern College attained at least five GCSEs A* to C.

Worcester's comprehensives vary between 20 (Elgar) and 61 per cent (Bishop Perowne).

Morag Chapman, the headteacher of Alice Ottley, said she was amazed that her students had managed to be so successful while fitting in sport, drama and sometimes even a Saturday job. She said: "The results are a credit to the girls, their parents, the teachers and

the staff.

"While we enjoy these results, what really matters is a broad education."

With so many independent schools doing so well, Ms Chapman acknowledged that league tables put pressure on schools to perform, but warned: "What matters most is that the individual achieves the best potential for them. It's what each individual does that matters."

The girls' school also came second in Worcestershire for A-level results.

Where the pupils improved the most

NUNNERY Wood High School helps pupils realise their academic potential more than other schools in Worcester.

Headteacher Alun Williams said he was pleased his students gave Nunnery Wood the best 'value added' score in the city but warned education was about more than just league tables.

Value-added scores compare GCSE results with the attainment of those same pupils who took the exams when they were aged 11 and so give a better reflection of schools' success when they do not select or are in more difficult areas.

Despite his reservations, Mr Williams admitted that value-added statistics helped parents see the school was getting things right.

He said: "There is no doubt that league tables make schools and teachers more accountable.

"We'd like to say

we don't pay much attention to them but that's not completely true and of course they do show the progress that we're making. "However, education is much more than raw results and schooling is about the young people, not statistics."

The value-added scores place Nunnery Wood 14th in the county for value added scores but it is behind Bishop Perowne in terms of raw results.

Going by value added results, Tenbury High School, which this week achieved an outstanding Ofsted report, improved its students more than any other in the state sector,

St James's in Malvern did best among the independent schools featured in the table, although most of these do not provide statistics.