SECONDARY schools in Gloucestershire excelled in GCSE results, placing the county in the top 15 per cent of authorities in the country.

The league tables published today show that schools in the county are among the best in the country and on average 54.4 per cent of pupils gained five A*-C grade GCSEs, including English and Maths, in 2007 compared to the national average of 46.7 per cent.

Katharine Lady Berkeley's School, in Wotton-under-Edge, exceeded the county average with 69 per cent of their pupils gaining five A*-C grades including English and Maths.

Rednock School, in Dursley, also performed better than both the county and national average, with 55 per cent of pupils gaining five GCSE grades A*-C.

Falling below the national average was Vale of Berkeley College, in Wanswell, where only 18 per cent of pupils gained five A*-C grade GCSEs.

County councillor Joan Nash, cabinet member for schools, said: "I would like to congratulate all the young people on their results. Most young people in Gloucestershire are continuing to do very well, achieving results well above those in other parts of the country.

"I am particularly pleased with how well our schools are performing in English and Maths compared with the rest of the country.

"We are proud of our schools and staff and the hard work of children and grateful for the support of parents."

You can view the tables on the Government website www.dfes.gov.uk/performancetables/.