DROITWICH Spa pupils and teachers have scooped full marks following league table successes.

The Department of Education and Skills has released Worcestershire's GCSE and A-level performance tables.

Droitwich Spa High School headteacher Cledwyn Davies congratulated his staff and students for their high quality of work.

Fifty-one per cent achieved five A-C grades GCSE passes and the average point score was 39.3, with an A carrying eight points and a G gaining one.

Droitwich High featured 28th out of the 52 schools, including selective private sector and grammar establishments, in the GCSE table.

Students' average 5.8 per cent point score A-level, placed Droitwich High 12th out of all the post-16 establishments but the teenagers average overall score of 23.6 placed them at the top of the table.

Mr Cledwyn Davies said: "I get ticked off when people say exams are getting easier -- good marks are only achieved through commitment and hard work."

He believes if the Government boosts funding for Worcestershire schools, the county could do even better.

Whitford Hall and Dodderhill School, in Crutch Lane, is a mainly girls, independent day school and does not offer A-level courses.

Ninety-five per cent of pupils who took GCSE exams passed five subjects at grade C or above.

In catering, 85 per cent of students scooped an A/A* and 55 per cent of English Literature pupils achieved top results.

The school ranks fifth in the table and the average GCSE point score was 53.7

Proud headteacher Joan Mumby said the school's results far exceeded the Government's benchmark but believes the tables are misleading and unhelpful.

She added: "The performance tables contain only results of pupils aged 15, thus distorting the real picture.

"Independent schools have the flexibility to allow gifted pupils to take examinations early."