PUPILS at Cheltenham Ladies' College have achieved the best GCSE results of Gloucestershire's independent schools.

The Independent Schools Council (ISC) has ranked the Bayshill Road school 17th in the UK with more than 90 per cent of exam entries resulting in A* or A grades.

The marks represent an improvement on last year's ranking, catapulting the Ladies College 24 places in the ISC's list, from 41st position to 17th, behind just a handful of the country's top-achieving schools.

Principal Vicky Tuck said: "I am thrilled with these results. They form a wonderful basis for the girls' study at A level or International Baccalaureate in our sixth form."

There were improvements across the board since no pupil scored lower than a C grade in any subject.

Mrs Tuck added: "The percentage A and A* was better than last year but there were ten per cent more A*s which is good news given how much importance universities attach to good GCSE results.

"Excellent results reflect excellent teaching and learning and I would like to pay tribute to both the staff and the girls."

In second place in the county was Dean Close School, which beat rivals Cheltenham College with an A* or A rate of 62 per cent, with more than 98 per cent of results between an A* and a C.

Star pupil Tom Dyer even managed to find time to gain an A* at French A level two years early, as well as scoring nine A*s and two As at GCSE.

Deputy head teacher Mark Tottman said: "For the first time more than three out of five exams taken were graded at either A* or A which represents a step change in performance.

"This is an exceptional achievement bearing in mind the school has a very broad-based entry."

In third place came Cheltenham College with a 55 per cent A* and A ratio, and 95 per cent of results at C or better.

They were followed by King's School, Gloucester, with a 49 per cent A to A* ratio, St Edwards with 43 per cent, and Westonbirt School with 40 per cent.

Westonbirt head teacher Mary Henderson said: "We are delighted for all the girls who have worked so hard to achieve these results.

"The grades have been very good across all subjects, but it is particularly pleasing to see such outstanding results in the sciences and music.""