Performance: Grammar schools top tables for both GCSE and A-levels

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State-funded schools from across the region which select pupils on the basis of academic ability topped a series of tables measuring the performance of Yorkshire students.

Ermysted's Grammar, an all-boys school in Skipton, achieved the best A-level results beating two independent schools into second and third place.

Hymers College, in Hull, and Bootham, in York, were the best performing private schools in the region at A-level according to the tables published yesterday.

They were among 15 schools from Yorkshire named in a table of the country's top 200 at A-level.

Ermysted's deputy headmaster David Clough said: "The boys have a very strong work ethic. From entry at year seven they are ambitious and hard-working and they want to achieve at the very highest levels. Grammar schools are at the top of the league tables because they encourage pupils from all backgrounds to succeed, regardless of parental income and status.

"All Ermysted's pupils work hard and learn skills which will enable them to succeed in life. They know that life is competitive and that in order to succeed they have to do their very best. Many of our old boys go on to study at the highest levels. Ermysted's boys want to be the best at everything they do.

"As the person responsible for the sixth form and for university admissions for many years here, I can say unequivocally that it gives me the greatest satisfaction when we are able to send boys from disadvantaged backgrounds to the best universities."

Heckmondwike Grammar, which last September became the first selective school in Yorkshire to join the Government's academy programme, had the best results at GCSE in Yorkshire and the fifth best in the country.

It was one of three schools in the region which had 100 per cent of pupils achieving five good GCSE passes including English and maths but it was ranked on top as it had more pupils achieving the standard.

All 164 pupils sitting GCSEs at the school last summer achieved the Government's benchmark target.

The other schools with 100 per cent success rates were Skipton Girls High and the Girls Grammar School at Bradford.