A CATHOLIC school has continued its rich tradition of educational excellence by landing a place in the top 200 state schools.

A CATHOLIC school has continued its rich tradition of educational excellence by landing a place in the top 200 state schools.

As the new secondary school league tables are published, St Benedict's School has once again secured pride of place among Suffolk's top schools with its A-level results.

The Bury St Edmunds school - along with Farlingaye High School, Woodbridge, St Alban's High School in Ipswich and Kesgrave High School - are the top performing Suffolk schools in the 16-18 age bracket.

St Benedict's headteacher, Paul Rossi, paid tribute to staff and students after seeing his school consistently placed among the top national performers over the last few years.

Mr Rossi said: “We are obviously delighted with the league tables. Our A-level results have consistently been good for many years.

“I think it is down to a combination of hard work from the students and the teachers.

“The school, and especially head of sixth form Jack Gingell , works very hard to ensure our students are on the right course.”

The 2008 figures show that A-level students at St Benedict's scored an average points score of 954.8 making it second across the whole of Suffolk with only Farlingaye High beating it.

Last year, the Bury school, which has specialist status in mathematics and computing, was labelled “outstanding” and “highly effective” after receiving top marks in every category.

The inspection complimented its community support and fund-raising events as well as the high levels of achievement. The school's spiritual, moral and social development was described by the inspector as outstanding.