FOURTEEN-year-olds in Worcestershire have recorded higher than average exam results in the latest league tables, which make good reading for their schools.

The Key Stage 3 scores, revealed today, show the scores from exams pupils take before their two-year GCSE courses begin.

Rather than raw results, teachers prefer 'value-added' scores, which show how much children have improved since the age of 11.

Prince Henry's High School in Evesham shows a startling 102.7 progress rate between 11 and 14. The best in Worcester is Nunnery Wood High with 100.7 progress.

Prince Henry's headteacher Bernard Roberts said his school's results were in part down to the good middle school system in Evesham.

He said: "We work closely with the middle schools so we have a good flow of information and students come in doubly keen and our good staff allow them to flourish.

"We are pleased, but we shouldn't be judged on Key Stage 3 results, they are better used as an indicator for each individual."

Nunnery Wood head Alun Williams underlined the importance of including value-added results.

He said: "Because of the nature of this year group, these aren't our best raw results but that's why we are a big fan of value-added because it shows how much progress they've made.

"Without being smug, we're particularly pleased."

In terms of raw statistics, Hagley RC High School shows the best average at 37.1.

In Worcester, Blessed Edward Oldcorne Catholic College and The Chantry both have an average score of 36.3.

Blessed Edward head Sean Devlin said: "We are very pleased because this reflects the hard work of pupils and staff and parents' support."

As ever, parents are warned by the Government that league tables and statistics only give part of the picture and Ofsted reports, school prospectuses and meetings with staff should all be used to choose a school.