SOUTHAMPTON schools have scored their best performance in the annual secondary school league tables published today.

The figures show a string of success stories across the city, with some schools far exceeding the national average.

Hampshire has also recorded some high scores in the tables, which show the average results achieved by pupils at Key Stage 3.

Thornden School in Chandler's Ford came out on top among Hampshire schools, with an average point score which put it among the top 200 in the country - the only school in the area to make it on to the list.

Hampshire was placed 31st in a table of the nation's 140 education authorities. Southampton was at 110 and the Isle of Wight at 103.

In Southampton, an average of 64 per cent of pupils achieved level five or above in English, while 66 per cent achieved level five or above in mathematics. Both results were up two per cent on last year's figures and the city's best yet.

Southampton youngsters achieved an average point score of 32.8 across English, maths and science, compared with the national average of 34.1

The city maintained the same average as that achieved last year, but closed the gap on the national average, which has fallen slightly from 34.3. In Hampshire, the average point score was 35, while on the Isle of Wight it was 33.1.

Southampton's success stories include

St Anne Convent School in Rockstone Place, which returned the highest state school result in Southampton with an average point score of 37.5 - well above the national average.

Ninety-three per cent of pupils there achieved level five or above in English, while 84 per cent achieved level five or above in maths and 83 per cent in science.

The school also fared well in the value-added category of the tables - a measure designed to show how much pupils have picked up while studying. A value-added score of 101.2 put St Anne in the top 25 per cent of schools nationally.

Bitterne Park School, which ranked eighth in Southampton, also made it into the top half of English schools on the back of its value-added score.

With an average point score of 35, Sholing Technology College was ranked second among Southampton schools. There, 74 per cent of pupils achieved level five or above in English, 84 per cent in maths and 74 per cent in science.

At the other end of the scale, Chamberlayne Park School in Weston ranked as the worst performing school in Southampton based on its average point score of 29.1.

That performance was enough to place the school in the country's 200 worst-performing schools - the only school in the area to feature on the list.

Ian Sandbrook, executive director of education for Southampton City Council, said: "We are delighted with the results being achieved at Key Stage 3 in Southampton schools. Today's league tables show the number of pupils achieving the recommended standards in English and maths is at its best ever - a two per cent increase on last year.

"Southampton City Council's school and education staff work extremely hard to ensure pupils receive the best possible education and it is encouraging to see these efforts paying off with results."

Thornden School in Chandler's Ford had an average point score of 39.4 - a result which put the school among the top 200 in the country.

There, 95 per cent of pupils achieved level five or above in English, 91 per cent in maths and 93 per cent in science.

A high level of achievement was also recorded at schools including Crofton School in Fareham, with an average point score of 38.3, Kings' School in Winchester, with an average score of 37.9 and The Burgate School and Sixth Form in Fordingbridge, with an average score of 38.3 - all well above the national average.

Eight schools across south Hampshire, including Crestwood Community School in Eastleigh, Noadswood School in Dibden Purlieu and Ringwood School, made it into the top quarter of English schools according to their value-added scores.

Among the worst performing schools in Hampshire was Bridgemary Community School in Gosport, which recorded an average point score of 30.7 and a value-added score which put it among the bottom 25 per cent of schools nationally.

Councillor David Kirk, Hampshire County Council's executive member for education, said: "I am immensely proud of the achievements of Hampshire pupils in this year's Key Stage 3 tests.

"My congratulations go to all pupils and teachers for these very good results and personal achievements which reflect the hard work and commitment being shown in our schools.

"This year's performance has improved once again and we remain above the national average in English, maths and science. The results compared to last year show higher scores in English and maths and a slight dip in science in line with the national trend. "Although Hampshire consistently achieves results above those nationally, we will continue to strive to improve our results year on year."

See today's Daily Echo for the secondary school league tables for Southampton, Hampshire and IOW.