THE best and worst performing state schools in Brighton and Hove based on GCSE results have been revealed.

Figures released by the Department for Education show how well the city’s schools did in the exams taken in the summer.

This is the second year schools have been ranked using the Attainment 8 grading system after major changes were made to how exams are assessed.

Attainment 8 is an average score across eight subjects taken at GCSE, which includes English and maths. The higher the score, the better.

The average Attainment 8 score across all state-funded schools in Brighton and Hove in 2018 was 47.9, higher than the national average, which was 46.4.

Dorothy Stringer School in Brighton was the city’s best performing school this year in terms of Attainment 8, with a score of 55.4.

The worst performing schools for attainment were Brighton Aldridge Community Academy (BACA) and Longhill High School, which both scored 38.5.

The new system also rates schools on the progress pupils make between Year 6 and when they take their GCSEs. This is called Progress 8.

Varndean School in Brighton and King’s School in Portslade were the best performing schools for Progress 8, with scores of 0.34.

Varndean head William Deighan said: “We were delighted with last year’s results and the incredible hard work and belief from staff, students and their families that brought it about.”

The worst was Longhill, with a score of minus 0.61.

Headteacher Kate Williams said: “Although this year’s results are not where we aspire to be, we are a rapidly improving school and our results are beginning to show this.”

Cardinal Newman in Hove, Portslade Aldridge Community Academy (PACA) and Dorothy Stringer also achieved above-average Progress 8 scores.

Cardinal Newman principal James Kilmartin said: “We are delighted with these results which reflect the hard work and determination of both students and staff.

“Our students are attaining nearly a third of a grade higher than they would in an ‘average’ school which is fantastic news.”

Patcham High School, Hove Park School, Brighton Aldridge Community Academy (BACA) and Longhill High School in Rottingdean scored below average for Progress 8.

Bob Speight, principal at BACA, said: “The significant improvement in our Progress 8 score this year represents steady progress for the academy, building on previous years’ GCSE results.

"We are determined to continue this improvement to match the achievement of our sister school, PACA."

All Brighton and Hove state-funded secondary schools ranked by Attainment 8

Dorothy Stringer School 55.4

Cardinal Newman Catholic School 53.8

Varndean School 53

King’s School 50.4

Portslade Aldridge Community Academy 48.7

Blatchington Mill School 48.2

Patcham High School 46

Hove Park School 46

Brighton Aldridge Community Academy 38.5

Longhill High School 38.5

All Brighton and Hove state-funded secondary schools ranked by Progress 8

Varndean School 0.34

King’s School 0.34

Cardinal Newman Catholic School 0.31

Portslade Aldridge Community Academy 0.31

Dorothy Stringer School 0.25

Blatchington Mill School 0

Patcham High School -0.19

Hove Park School -0.27

Brighton Aldridge Community Academy -0.38

Longhill High School -0.61