Dudley's A-level results among top third in UK

Schools in Dudley were celebrating today after recording the best exam results in the Black Country – putting them in the top third in England.

The borough was ranked 28th out of 152 local authorities based on the average points scored per student for qualifications such as A-levels.

More Dudley children achieved five or more GCSEs including English and Maths, than ever before, according to national performance tables published today.

An impressive 59.7 per cent achieved five or more GCSE grades A* - C, including English and Maths. This is up from 56.1 per cent overall, making these results the best ever.

Children's services boss, Councillor Tim Crumpton, said: "It is a tribute to the professionalism of our teachers and we are working hard with them to get all of our schools to the same standard," he said. "I want to put on record my thanks to all concerned."

Ellowes Hall Sports College was top for the borough for its GCSE results, with 80 per cent of its 199 pupils eligible for GCSEs taking home five or more grades from A*-C including English and maths.

Summerhill School in Kingswinford was named second as 79 per cent of its 202 GCSE pupils achieved similar success.

In third was Bishop Milner Catholic College, with 76 per cent of its 117 pupils taking home five A*-C grades at GCSE with English and maths. The Burton Road college was also third in the borough for its Key Stage 5 showing.

King Edward VI College in Stourbridge was top in Dudley for the average scores per pupil at A-level. Hagley Catholic High School was the fifth top-performing school within Worcestershire.The Stourport High School and Sixth Form Centre was also named in the top 200 most improved.