By Mark HeathTHE region's independent schools are reflecting today on their position in the latest round of league tables.Released by the Independent Schools Council, the schools are ranked by their average points score per pupil in this year's GCSEs results.

By Mark Heath

THE region's independent schools are reflecting today on their position in the latest round of league tables.

Released by the Independent Schools Council, the schools are ranked by their average points score per pupil in this year's GCSEs results.

Ipswich School finished on top of the league with an average score of 64.4 points per pupil for the 114 students who sat the exams.

Ipswich High School finished second in the table with a 62.3 average points score, followed by Brentwood School with a 60.4 average.

Ian Galbraith, headteacher at Ipswich School, said: “We're delighted, of course.

“But what is really important to us is not being top of any tables - it's individual students achieving their potential. It's at that level that one gets pleasure from success.

“Our students sit 10 or 11 GCSEs, which gives them the challenge of keeping a lot of balls in the air. If they can do that, it gives them a breadth of experience that is sometimes lacking in the English education system.”

Mr Galbraith said the school's success was due to the commitment of the pupils and added: “We want them to commit to academic things, but also music, sport and drama and to lead balanced happy lives.

“The absolute key is making the school a happy and challenging place. Overall, last year's GCSE group were a very pleasing year group and we're expecting great things from them in their A-levels.”

Stoke College in Stoke by Clare was placed bottom of the league table with an average points score of 45.7 points per student.

Matthew Parker, deputy headteacher at Stoke College, said he was pleased with the school's results and stressed it did not simply take in the most talented children.

“Our selection policy is that we take on every ability - we have a completely comprehensive intake almost exactly compatible to the national average,” he added.

“A total of 83% of our students achieved five GCSEs at C or above, compared to the national average of around 54%.

“We're very happy with our results. Sure, our points score is low, but we've got data which shows that our kids are spot on national average ability wise - we are not just creaming off the top and testing them.”

Mr Parker continued: “As a non-selective school, we are very pleased. Since 2001 the percentage of our students achieving five GSCEs at C or above has risen from 59% to 83%.

“It shows what you can do with a lot of tender loving care and individual attention. We are especially pleased with what we've done with our lower ability kids, who have done exceptionally well.”

mark.heath@eadt.co.uk

School A B

Amberfield School, Nacton 29 57.5

Brentwood School 162 60.4

Colchester High School 24 53.4

Culford School 86 52.6

Felsted School 84 60.1

Finborough School 10 49.7

Framlingham College 91 55.1

Friends School, Saffron Walden 31 49.0

Gosfield School 20 54.4

Ipswich High School 70 62.3

Ipswich School 114 64.4

New Hall School, Chelmsford 63 48.6

Royal Hospital School, Holbrook 116 59.7

St Felix Schools, Southwold 12 56.7

St Mary's School, Colchester 51 51.0

Stoke College, Stoke by Clare 24 45.7

Woodbridge School 75 60.3

KEY

A Number of candidates sitting GCSEs

B Average GCSE points achieved per candidate, where an A* grade scores eight points and a G grade one

n Data supplied by Independent Schools Council