St Ives School is celebrating after publication of the latest school league tables show that it ranks as one of the best in Cornwall at boosting the progress of its pupils.

The Government-published league tables include a new Progress 8 measure to help parents and children make a more informed choice of secondary school. For the third year running, St Ives School is among the very best, with the new measure in particular showing how well it has done in supporting the progress of children in eight key subjects, relative to their starting points in year seven. The subjects given high priority include English and maths, as well as at least two subjects from science, humanities and languages.

Jan Woodhouse, St Ives School head teacher, said she was delighted the school once again ranked in the top five in Cornwall for Progress 8, well above both the ‘all England’ and Cornwall averages, and she praised the key role of high quality of teaching in achieving this success.

“We are delighted with the introduction of the Progress 8 measure," she said. "It gives parents a clear way to cut through some of the confusing claims some schools can make about achievement, and to see for themselves just how well schools have really supported all their students to make progress.

“Our staff and governors are deeply committed to providing the highest quality education for every child and to making sure that every child is supported and challenged to achieve their full potential.”

St Ives School is continuing to invest in resources and facilities across all subjects but in particular performing arts, sport and music. The school also provides a variety of extracurricular opportunities for students.

Ms Woodhouse added: “We work very closely with our primary partner schools and there will be more opportunities for year five and six students to work with staff both here at St Ives School and in their own school settings.

“I am very grateful for the continuing strong support we have from parents, from governors and the local community and for the educational expertise we can access as part of the Truro and Penwith Academy Trust. To be amongst the best schools in Cornwall for the third year running is testament to our dedicated staff team and their focus on doing our very best for every child at our school.”

St Ives School is part of the Truro and Penwith Academy Trust set up by Truro and Penwith College. With its strong track record of sustaining its own position at the top of national league tables and its recent judgement of Outstanding from Ofsted, the college uses its experience and the expertise of the Cornwall Teaching School to provide support to member schools for rapid school improvement. Linked to the success of its schools, the Trust has continued to grow and now has 13 schools as members, with more set to join during the current academic year.