TEACHERS have responded to newly-published figures which rank schools based on pupils’ progress.

Schools were ranked based on the number of pupils staying in education or entering employment after Year 11, how many scored 5 or above in maths and English GCSE, how well pupils performed in up to eight qualifications, and the average score in the English Baccalaureate.

This provided a Progress 8 score - how much progress pupils made between the end of key stage 2 and the end of key stage 4 compared to pupils across England who got similar results at the end of key stage 2.

The figures refer to secondary pupils who finished school in 2019.

Cumbria’s average score for state-funded schools is -0.16

Chetwynde School was the highest-performing Barrow school and one of just eight in Cumbria at which 100 per cent of pupils stayed in education or entered employment. George Hastwell and Sandside Lodge also scored 100 per cent.

Chetwynde, in Rating Lane, was 12th overall in Cumbria.

Headteacher Steve Jefferson said: "I am delighted that the hard work of staff and pupils has been demonstrated in our results. Our pupil's are at the heart of all that we do. We are proud of their progress, effort and achievements."

Ulverston Victoria High School was ranked sixth in Cumbria out of 48 schools followed by Coniston’s John Ruskin School in seventh place.

Dowdales School in Dalton was ranked 14th while Millom School came 16th.

The Lakes School came 17th, St Bernard’s in Barrow was ranked 23rd, Furness Academy came 29th and Walney School was ranked in 30th place.

Cartmel Priory School was ranked the second best-performing school in Cumbria with a score just 0.01 per cent behind Cockermouth School in first place.

The academy is also in the top seven per cent nationally.

Headteacher Sarah Beestone said: “We are extremely proud of this achievement which is down to the commitment of all staff, the support of parents and the hard work and high aspiration of our students.

“We remain dedicated to achieving the best outcomes possible for the children of the Cartmel Peninsula.”

Westmorland and Lonsdale MP Tim Farron said: “I want to say a massive congratulations to Cartmel Priory CofE School and Queen Elizabeth School for being ranked as above the national average when it comes to performance for key stage 4 pupils.

“However successes of schools should not be solely put down to league table positions, and so I want to also say a big thank you to the head teachers, teachers and teaching assistants of all schools across our area who work so hard at giving our young people the best possible start in life.”