Headteachers across the county have been reacting to the results of the Wiltshire secondary school league tables that were released this morning.

Head of Kingdown School in Warminster, Sara Edwards, said: “Our results are the best we have ever had. Our levels of progress in English and maths are stunning. 

“The results are a reflection on the sheer hard work of the staff and students and support from the parents.

“What we have to do is keep going and keep striving to be the best we can be. We want to inspire every child to work to their full potential and achieve their full potential.”

Fergus Stewart, head of St Laurence School in Bradford on Avon, said: “We are pleased with the attainment of our students in 2013, with a  four per cent improvement in the proportion achieving at least five good GCSE grades.

“Although there has been a significant improvement in the proportion making expected progress in English, one of our key targets is to ensure that all students make even more progress from 11-16 across the range of subjects. 

“Our A -evel results show high attainment and progress, with a particularly pleasing increase in the proportion of high grades. This coincides with growing sixth form numbers, as students increasingly see St Laurence as their institution of choice for post-16 study.

“At St Laurence we strive to ensure that each student achieves the best possible qualifications as well as placing great value on developing the whole person.”

Mark Stenton, head of Clarendon Academy, said: “We take a long term and highly ambitious view of the academy’s development. 2012-13 was a momentous year for Clarendon in which we received an excellent OFSTED report, became an Education Fellowship Academy and obtained Gold Standard for Investors In People.

"We have a relentless drive for excellence at the academy and everything possible is done to maximise attainment and student progress for children of all abilities and backgrounds, both in the immediate and long term.”

Simon Riding became head of Matravers School in Westbury in September. He said: “As a new head coming into post I am very pleased with the consolidation of the recent improvements in both GCSE and A-level and the consistence of the improvements.

“It is clear that the school has already begun to move towards preparing students to be successful in the future. We  focus strongly on GCSE and A-level success alongside our vocational provision and both of these are crucial measures.”

“In terms of moving forward, we all know the performance tables are significantly shifting in the years ahead. With our current year 11 and 13 students we are expecting significant further progress because of the continued  improvements that are taking place currently across the school.”

Andy Packer, John of Gaunt headteacher, said: “From our point of view, to be in and around that cluster of schools getting 60 per cent of five or more A* to C GCSESs including English and maths is very pleasing.

"In addition, we are also very pleased that all our students that attend Wiltshire College all got their qualifications too.

“Our current Year 11s are very determined and we are on course to achieve 60 per cent of our pupils achieving at least five GCSEs A* to C, including English and maths, this year. I’d like to thank our pupils, parents and staff for all their hard work.”

Head of St Augustine’s in Trowbridge, Joe Alsop, said: “It was no surprise that the examination results were so strong because the students displayed a mature work ethic for the duration of their studies and therefore thoroughly deserved to do so well. 

“At a time when we saw a national dip in results it was pleasing that 84% of our GCSE students secured 5A*-C including English and Maths which represented a three year rising trend in results and 83% of our A-level students gained A*-C grades. 

“These wonderful results will keep us amongst the highest performing schools in the country and show that the vast majority of our students make expected or better than expected progress and are ready to take their place in the world of work and further study.”

Stephen Clark, headteacher at Melksham Oak, said: "Our overall results in the summer were again our best ever and we are absolutely delighted that the progress of Melksham Oak students is now well above the national average in the crucial areas of English and Maths.

“This is down to their persistence and commitment, the support of their parents and the dedication of our staff, and is part of our continued journey towards becoming a great school for the community.”

A copy of the league table can be found in tomorrow’s edition of the Wiltshire Times.