Secondary schools in Ipswich are among the highest achieving institutions in Suffolk, according to education league tables published this week.

Headteachers in the town said they were pleased by the latest results, which relate to the 2013 GCSE and A-level results, but that it was important work continued to improve attainment.

Ipswich High School for Girls was ranked as the best performing school in the county, with 99% of pupils gaining at least five A* to C GCSE grades, including English and maths.

Copleston High School also performed well as it was placed 11th for the proportion of students attaining five A*-C grades, including English and maths, in their GCSEs.

Shaun Common, the school’s headteacher, said it was important officials at the institution continued to keep up with the changes in education nationwide but that everybody had played their part to achieve good results.

He added: “We are very proud of the students’ achievement. We have done very well and they have exceeded the targets we have set so it is very pleasing.

“It is about partnership and the commitment of everybody in that partnership – students, teachers and parents. It’s about working together to get the best outcomes for the young people.”

Other schools which performed well included St Alban’s Catholic High School, which was ranked 10th in terms of GCSE attainment and Northgate High School, which came 17th.

Meanwhile, Ipswich Academy, which recently moved into its new £16million build in Brazier’s Wood Road, was ranked 47th, but staff say they have seen a significant improvement over previous years.

Principal, Nancy Robinson, said: “Ipswich Academy was delighted to see improved GCSE results for all groups of pupils. A significant increase of 17% of students achieving 5+A*-C gave an overall figure of 58%. In addition, there was a 7% improvement in the number of students achieving 5+A*-C including English and maths with a third more students making expected progress in English.”

Nationally, Suffolk has showed an improvement in this year’s results.

Graham White, secretary of the Suffolk branch of the National Union of Teachers, said he welcomed the news, but said it was vital there was a continued investment in the county’s education system.

He added: “If Suffolk really wants to improve then it’s got to put education as a major focus and put the time, money and effort into it and I don’t think they’re doing that.”