WARRINGTON has placed in the top 20 of local authorities in the country for the number of secondary school pupils reaching the benchmark level at Key Stage three.

In a report released today, Thursday, by the Department of Children, Schools and Families the town came joint 15th out of 149 local authorities in England and second in the north west for 14-year-olds reaching level five in English, maths and science.

Great Sankey High School came top of the Warrington schools in the Key Stage three performance tables.

Head teacher, Alan Yates, said: "I am delighted with the results that our children have achieved.

"But it's not really about league tables, it's about making sure our pupils achieve what they are capable of and we will carry on to do that for Key Stage four."

The fated Woolston HIgh School came eighth out of the 12 Warrington schools while Padgate High School placed second to last, one above William Beamont High School which had the worst results.

Clr Sheila Woodyatt, executive board member for children's services, said: "We are delighted to have hit the national science target by summer 2007.

"The Government has set very challenging national targets of 85 per cent in English and maths and we are well on our way to achieving these targets in Warrington.

"Our schools and pupils are to be congratulated on their hard work and success."

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