School league tables

The best state schools have overtaken their fee-paying rivals for the first time in league tables of examination results published on Thursday.

Two city technology colleges with comprehensive intakes recorded the best scores in GCSE and vocational qualifications at 16, while two grammar schools topped the A Level league.

But the Independent Schools Council (ISC) accused the government of rendering the performance tables meaningless by taking into account hundreds of extra qualifications.

Government Response: Department for Education and Skills

Stephen Twigg, schools standard minister, said: "These figures show that the fastest improvement is being made in areas of significant deprivation and historically low achievement. Through our work in Excellence in Cities and London Challenge we are supporting the hard work of pupils and teachers in these areas.