MOST Worcestershire schools are performing above the national average, according to league tables published yesterday.

Due to the overhaul of the grading system for this year's English and maths exams, people have been warned not to try and compare this year's results with last year.

Instead the key figure for schools is the Progress 8 score.

The Progress 8 score is calculated by comparing pupils' results at key stage three, when they finish primary school, with their attainments aged 16, when they sit their GCSEs or equivalent qualifications.

With most schools in the county obtaining an average or above average Progress 8 score, it appears Worcestershire schools are performing broadly in line with expectations.

Schools also performed above average in all of the other key measurement areas including strong passes in English and maths and the English Baccalaureate.

Stephen Powell, head at Nunnery Wood High School was delighted with achieving the highest Progress 8 score in Worcestershire.

He said: "We have had a fantastic year and it is wonderful to see our students getting the rewards from a lot of hard work.

"We are particularly proud of the Progress 8 being so high.

"Of course we are always delighted by the high number of 9s our students achieve but some of our students have been huge successes by overcoming high obstacles to achieve what they have."

Lindsey Cooke, head of Hanley Castle, whose students scored above average in all of the key performance measures, was pleased with how the school performed.

"We're absolutely delighted," she said.

"It's been a challenging year for all schools with the introduction of the new GCSEs.

"We're delighted to be one of the top schools in Worcestershire for value added.

"Our children have worked really hard for this result and we're delighted."

Councillor Marcus Hart, cabinet member with responsibility for education and skills, highlighted the difficulty of comparing figures.

He said: "Due to the introduction of the new Progress 8 measure, it is not possible to compare this year's performance tables with previous years."

"However, it is clear that overall, provisional outcomes for students in Worcestershire compare well with those seen nationally; for example, the proportion of students securing a standard pass in both English and mathematics at GCSE is higher than that seen nationally, as is the proportion securing strong passes in both these subjects."

Despite his school securing results above both regional and national averages, Neil Morris, headteacher at Christopher Whitehead Language College maintained his opposition to the publication of league tables.

"I think they're potty, absolutely potty," he said.

“Yes, we have done well but what is the table actually showing?

“The first thing I look for is our results in the English Baccalaureate and our progress score because that's the most important thing to look at as a parent. Is my child progressing? As a school, are we progressing?

"We're certainly a better school than we were three years ago."

“I always equate what we’re doing to Leicester winning the Premier League.

“We’re punching way above our weight.

“To use a footballing comparison, we’re budgeted like a Ryman League club but we perform like we’re in the Premier League.”