STATE schools in Worcester may soon close the gap on their independent counterparts if they follow the example of Hanley Castle High School.

Pupils at the school, near Upton-upon-Severn, averaged an A and two B grades in last year's A-level exams, and today has been ranked in the top 200 state schools nationally.

Headteacher Alan Johnston said: "Special credit must go to the pupils and teachers, who have worked hard for the last two years.

"We aspire to do even better next year. However, I'm less impressed with league tables than I should be, as really they give such a limited picture of a school.

"Nevertheless, I'm glad the pupils' work is being recognised."

Other high-achieving state schools in Worcestershire include Prince Henry's High School, in Evesham, and Dyson Perrins CE High School, in Malvern.

The Chase High School, a specialist technology college in Malvern, also enjoyed its best set of results last year and was ranked tenth in the county.

"The Key Stage 3 and GCSE results were the strongest we have had and A-levels followed on well from a very good performance the previous year," said headteacher Kevin Peck.

"League tables including GCSEs, A-levels and value-added scores offer parents a much better indication of school performance, and we are obviously very pleased with ours."

The National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT) was thrilled with the strong performance of state schools.

General Secretary David Hart said the value-added results put league tables in a new context.

"More and more comprehensive schools are delivering at GCSE," he said.

"The investment in Specialist Schools is clearly paying dividends, but so is the support being given to schools in challenging circumstances. Many comprehensive schools are adding tremendous value between the ages of 14 and 16.

"The performance tables prove once again that the government's crude national targets are becoming increasingly discredited and that it is the value added by schools that counts."