Pupils in Sussex have defied the trends again, achieving GCSE results above the national average.

Many schools say their latest results are the best to date and are prepared for critics who think the exams are outdated.

Hove Park School in Hangleton Way, Hove, and Varndean School, in Balfour Road, Brighton, both recorded a 99 per cent pass rate, soaring above the national average of 97.6 per cent.

Varndean headteacher Andy Schofield saw 63 per cent of his students secure at least five A* to C grades, four per cent more than last year, and said the idea pupils were leaving school without basic skills was nonsense.

His comment came in response to a survey which showed 37 per cent of firms were not happy with school leavers' numeracy and literacy. Mr Schofield said: "Our children leave school well prepared.

"They are lifelong learners, they work in teams, they are reliable and on time and that is what employers are always banging on about."

The results from Dorothy Stringer School, in Loder Road, Brighton, also bucked national trends.

Forty-nine students achieved grade B or above when they took their French GCSE two years early.

The last year has seen a national downturn in the number of students opting to study foreign languages.

Deputy head Simon Sharron said: "We have been the opposite of the national trend this year.

"You have to make teaching the subject interesting and lively. We have videoconferencing with a school in France and a very vibrant exchange programme."

Students at Patcham High School, Brighton, were also hoping for a record year but head Liz Fletcher was still waiting to confirm the final results last night.

Overall national results have slightly improved on last year.

The percentage of students receiving A* and A grades has risen by 0.7 per cent, from 16.7 per cent to 17.4 per cent, and the number of passes at grades A* to C has risen by 1.1 per cent, from 58.2 per cent to 59.2 per cent. The A* to G pass rate of 97.6 per cent has remained level and has dropped from a figure of 97.9 per cent in 2002.

Despite closing the gap between the sexes at A-level, boys have once again been blamed for the slump in national GCSE results. Females outperformed males, achieving 8.4 per cent more A* to C grades.

Brighton and Hove councillor Pat Hawkes, who chairs the education and social services committee, said: "Sadly, boys have not caught up with the girls this year and we are disappointed about that."

She was positive about the results from East Brighton College of Media Arts, which faces closure next year.

She said: "The pupils who have done GCSEs at the school have been individually supported to do the best they can and I am confident the results will improve."

The majority of Brighton's independent schools boasted pass rates well above the national average.

St Mary's Hall, Brighton College and Roedean all recorded 100 per cent pass rates.

More than 54 per cent of students at Brighton College, in Eastern Road, gained A* and A grades and 98.5 per cent secured A* to C grades.

St Mary's Hall saw 91 per cent of students achieve A* to C grades and 32 per cent A* and A grades.

County-wide results also paint a promising picture.

All pupils at Farlington School, Horsham, gained five or more GCSEs at grades A* to C and 66 per cent achieved A* or A. Burgess Hill School for Girls also had a 100 per cent pass rate at grade C or above.

Hurstpierpoint College was not far behind, with 97 per cent of students receiving grades A* to C and 47 per cent A* or A.

Acting headteacher Tim Firth said: "Outstanding results such as these are not achieved easily. They require hard work and commitment by both students and staff and I cannot praise them highly enough."

Lancing College students gained an overall A* to C pass rate of 96 per cent and more than half of the students achieved A* or A grades.

Newlands School in Seaford saw 68 per cent of students achieve five or more GCSEs at grades A* to C and 21 per cent secured grades A* or A.