SCHOOLS in north Hampshire have achieved some of the highest scores in the country for pupil performance and GCSE grades.

The latest figures released by the Government show that education establishments in Basingstoke and the surrounding area are hitting the mark.

At The King's School, Sarum Hill, Basingstoke, a stunning 94 per cent of pupils got five or more A* to C grades at GCSE, compared with a national average of 53.4 per cent.

Paul Davis, headteacher at the privately-run school, said: "We are delighted, once again, at the high level of achievement, which is a tribute to the children themselves, the teachers - and the support by the parents and the church.

"We see it very much as a team effort rather than just the school. We couldn't do it without the children and the parents."

Lord Wandsworth College, Long Sutton, followed closely behind with 91 per cent of students getting five A* to C grades. The school - another privately-run establishment - also recorded the fifth lowest truancy rate in Hampshire.

Mary Hicks, director of marketing and admissions, said: "The staff live here and they keep an eye on the children - we are more like friends."

Bishop Challoner Catholic Secondary School, in St Michael's Road, Basingstoke, was another success story. It has been ranked in the top 25 per cent of schools nationwide for pupil performance between Key Stage Three and GCSE.

David Letherby, acting headteacher, said: "As a school, we are very pleased. Really it is a reflection of the relationship between the school and home and the relationship between staff and pupils.

"We have got a very experienced and dedicated staff who, over time, have done their very best to see that children achieve their potential."

Other schools did not receive such a positive assessment.

At Costello Technology College, Crossborough Hill, just 48 per cent of pupils achieved five or more A* to C grades, and of the 95 Hampshire schools included in the truancy test, it had the seventh highest level.

Julia Mortimer, headteacher, said: "Over the last year we have been estimating that a number of pupils miss school without a valid reason.

"I won't authorise holidays of more than 10 days, and because of that the figures have risen.

"We have also implemented electronic monitoring and electronic registers.

This reflects us taking a more hard-line approach to truancy."

The worst performing school in Basingstoke was John Hunt of Everest Community School, in Popley Way, where 18 per cent of students got five A* to C grades - more than 40 per cent down on the county average.

John Hunt's truancy figures were also near the bottom of the table, with only two schools in the county having a higher level.

Lesley Phillipson (pictured), headteacher, said she felt saddened by the figures which, she claims, were not a true reflection of the school.

"The actual figure for students with five A to C grades was 18.4 per cent, and those figures do not give a fair reflection of what goes on in this school. We have got excellent Key Stage Three results this year, and the number of pupils getting A to Gs is very high. All of our children go out with some form of accreditation.

"We serve the community here and we have got a job to do. We know our A to C grades could be higher. We're working on that and the trend is heading upwards.

"But tables like this do not take account of the fact that some of our children are getting double what they have been predicted to achieve, and it upsets me because this denigrates their achievement."

Basingstoke MP Andrew Hunter said the latest results were positive and steps were being taken to tackle some of the town's truancy problems.

He said: "I do not think truancy in Basingstoke is worse than in any other comparable town, but it is something we need to look at."

Councillor Paul Harvey, Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council's Cabinet member for employment skills and learning, said: "The new results are very encouraging but we have got to keep pushing to achieve even more.

"No young person in our town should be failed by the education system."

The Clere School, Burghclere, exceeded the county average for pupils getting five A to C grades by nearly 10 per cent, and was less than one per cent off a spot in the top 25 per cent for pupil performance between Key Stage Three and GCSEs.

The Hurst Community College, Baughurst, was also celebrating a fantastic performance in the tables, with 63 per cent of pupils getting five or more A to C grades at GCSE.