SCHOOL across Test Valley can hold their heads high after secondary school league tables showed they fared better than others in Hampshire.

The government today publishes its league tables which show how well students have performed in GCSEs in the county.

The comparable results are the number of students who achieve five A* to C grades including English and maths and some varied by up to double figures.

Each of the four schools in Test Valley scored higher than across the rest of Hampshire with 59.7 per cent surpassing the benchmark.

Colm McKavanagh, head teacher of the Romsey School, which saw 72 per cent of its pupils make the grade – their best ever – said it was a “team effort”.

Hampshire Chronicle:

The school also found out that it has the highest value added score of any secondary school in Hampshire.

The value added score is an indication of how much progress pupils make from when they joined the school in Year 7.

Mr McKavanagh said: “This is particularly pleasing as it demonstrates what the school values most, which is regardless of a child’s starting point, whether they have high Key Stage 2 levels or are below the national expectation, we make sure that they achieve real success which will secure them the best possible life chances for them.”

Hampshire Chronicle:

Jonathan de Sausmarez, the school's executive headteacher said; “These results reflect the exceptionally hard work which students, staff and parents have put in over the past five years.  

"We are so fortunate to have such a fantastic body of staff who really do go the extra mile to make sure students achieve beyond expectations and congratulations are due to everyone who worked so well together.”

Councillor Peter Edgar, executive member for education at Hampshire County Council, was delighted by the county’s results.

He said: “On behalf of the county council I would like to congratulate Hampshire students for their GCSE achievements and wish them every success in their chosen educational pathway, whether that is studying A-levels, entering an apprenticeship or moving on to vocational education and training.

“Around 13,000 16-year-olds in Hampshire sat their Key Stage 4 (KS4) GCSE examinations in 2015 and 60 per cent of students achieved five or more A*-C GCSE passes, including English and maths, outperforming national and regional averages.

“This compares to 59 per cent achieved in Hampshire in 2014, when the national average was 57 per cent.

“These results demonstrate the high standards that our young people strive for and I know they are the result of much hard work by both staff and pupils at schools across the county.”

The league tables for Test Valley schools (the percentage of students who achieved five A* to C grades including English and maths)

Hampshire Collegiate School – 78 % (down from 94% last year)

The Mountbatten School – 70% (up from 57% last year)

The Romsey School – 72% (up from 69% last year)

Test Valley School 66% (down from 69% last year)