MOST schools across Redditch and Alcester performed better than the national average in their GCSE results, according to recently released government league tables.

In Redditch, Trinity High School and Sixth Form Centre’s GCSE results dropped by 28 per cent in just three years.

The school recorded a pass rate of 50 per cent in last year’s exam results for the number of pupils gaining five or more GCSEs A*-C, including English and maths.

In 2013 the school achieved a pass rate of 78 per cent.

Assistant headteacher Tom Jordan said: “Even though we are disappointed with the results, 50 per cent is still in line with our target. We are confident we will improve significantly in 2016.

“However, despite the drop we do place in the top 20 per cent of similar schools nationally, we are also proud over the three years we are one of the best in the county.”

Similarly, Woodrush Community High School in Wythall and Arrow Vale RSA Academy's GCSE results dropped by 18 and 22 per cent respectively in the last three years.

In 2013, Woodrush achieved 76 per cent and Arrow Vale attained 64 per cent.

Arrow Vale principal Guy Shears said:"The Arrow Vale headline figure 2015 of 42 per cent five A*-C including English and maths is explained by the well-publicised English iGCSE application of a significant shift in grade boundaries. 

"Whilst we were disappointed with the English A*-C figure, the students still achieved ‘better than national progress to achieve the results in English, and the average A*-C passes across all GCSE subjects rose 10 per cent to 73 per cent in all subjects.

"They all now have secured at least a C grade and those who stayed on are thriving in their academic A level studies."

Also hitting the benchmark were St Augustine’s Catholic High School with 70 per cent, and Tudor Grange Academy Redditch with 56 per cent.

The two schools both ranked fourth best in each of their similar school groups in the government’s school and college performance tables.

Tudor Grange Academy Principal Rose Rees said: "I am incredibly proud of the achievements of our GCSE students last year and recognise that this reflects a team effort between student and teacher. At Tudor Grange we focus on building confidence in every one of our students and encouraging them to be ambitious in everything that they do."

In Alcester, St Benedict’s Catholic High School achieved 62 per cent- falling 14 per cent over a decade.

Alcester Academy achieved an 80 percent pass rate- more than 26 per cent higher than the national average 53.8.

Alcester Grammar School, a restricted entry school, achieved a 99 per cent pass rate- one per cent higher than last year and almost doubling the national average.

Nationally in the last three years, the percentage of students reaching the threshold has decreased by 5.4 per cent.

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In A-levels, Alcester Grammar School came top in Redditch and Alcester with 97 per cent of pupils achieving at least three A-levels grade A* to E.

St Augustine's Catholic High School came second best with 83 per cent achieving the threshold, third came Woodrush Community High School with 78 per cent, fourth was Tudor Grange Academy Redditch with 74 per cent, fifth How College with 48 per cent and sixth Trinity High School with 42 per cent and seventh Arrow Vale RSA Academy with 39 per cent. 

The national average for reaching the A-level benchmark was 78.7 per cent.

No results are available at A-level for St Benedict's Catholic High School as students go on to study the International Baccalaureate and Alcester Academy has no post 16 education.