Staff and students at a west Dorset secondary school are celebrating coming top of the league tables in the county.

The Sir John Colfox Academy in Bridport was the highest-ranking state school in Dorset for key stage 5 - sixth form - in the Government’s league tables published last month, and second out of all schools, including independent schools, coming just behind Sherborne School.

Adam Teasdale, head of sixth form, said: “I am delighted that the sixth form has been placed at the top of official league tables.

“We were pleased with our results last year, but this recognition has shown that students from all backgrounds have out-performed expectations in their qualifications.”

The progress made by students was ‘above average’, placing it in the top 17 per cent of schools and colleges in England.

Colfox was scored 0.26 with a score above zero showing that students made more progress, on average, than students across England who got similar results at the end of key stage 4.

A score below zero means students made less progress, on average, than students across England who got similar results at the end of key stage 4.

The league tables look at a range of outcomes, including performance in A levels, vocational qualifications and success in English and maths resits at post-16.

Adam Shelley, headteacher of the Sir John Colfox Academy, said: “We are thrilled with our A level results, but these have been beaten by our vocational results which come at the very top of the whole of Dorset - both state sector and independent.

“We are ‘well above average’ which is fantastic and proves that our partnership with Yeovil College is something to celebrate.”

The Woodroffe School in Lyme Regis was ranked 8th out of the state schools and Beaminster School was ranked 13th.

Keith Hales, headteacher at Beaminster School, said: "“Beaminster School and the Sir John Colfox Academy share a joint sixth, with cross-site teaching, in collaboration with Yeovil College. This enables us to offer the highest quality teaching with the broadest range of A level, BTEC and vocational courses, all with excellent progression rates.

"The success of over 100 students, as shown in the performance tables, is due to the tailored support from the schools, along with the increased range of exciting opportunities offered across all three sites.”

The Woodroffe School was contacted for a comment.