GIRLS at Ipswich High School rose to the challenge and topped this year’s list of independent schools in the county.

The school’s A-level results put them 53rd in the national list of independent schools, based on the number of points awarded per grade, and top in Suffolk.

Students at the Woolverstone school gained an average of 405 points – just four higher than their counterparts at neighbouring Ipswich School.

The Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) award 140 points for an A* grade, 120 for an A, with an E grade earning 40 points, extra points are awarded for A/s Level passes.

Headteacher Elaine Purves said: “The girls have really risen to the challenge of the new A* grade.

“We have fantastic teachers who have encouraged and supported the girls. There is a real drive to do well and the girls are keen to respond to that, which is gratifying to see.”

The school had just 31 students sitting A-levels this summer, meaning the pupils benefited from more individual attention.

“The class sizes are smaller so lessons can be tailored to their needs, helping them achieve the best possible outcome.”

The headteacher explained that most of the students sit four or five A/s-levels in their first year, dropping a subject in their second.

“It is about what she feels will serve her best in the future.”

The majority of students choose to go on to higher education and the school hopes that by striving for such impressive results they will secure places on the most highly-regarded courses.

“We want them to do as well as they can to get onto the best courses for their chosen subjects.”

Also appearing among the high flyers was Framlingham College, where students gained an average of 349 points, while those at the Royal Hospital School achieved 341, on average.