TOP performing high schools in Widnes and Runcorn have been revealed in the publication of new league tables.

The Department for Education released its annual school league tables yesterday.

The report displays the Progress 8 scores- which monitors the improvements pupils have made from the end of Key Stage 2 to Key Stage 4 based on eight subjects including English, maths and science.

The figures are compared to other pupils across England who received similar scores at the end of Key Stage 2.

Ormiston Chadwick Academy (OCA) in Widnes is way ahead at the top with an astonishing score and was rated well above average.

Wade Deacon High School in Widnes came second, Ormiston Bolingbroke Academy in Runcorn is listed third and The Heath in Runcorn came third, all rated above average.

The Grange School in Runcorn came bottom of the list and was rated well below average.

Also rated as well below average were Saints Peter and Paul Catholic College in Widnes and St Chad’s Catholic and Church of England High School.

Tuesday Humby, principal of OCA, said:  "We are immensely proud of our class of 2017 for their results which put OCA as the joint 87th top performing school in the country for progress and 15th in the country for all academies and free schools. 

"OCA was built on the belief that all can achieve, regardless of background, regardless of prior attainment and regardless of the many difficulties our young people have to navigate through their time with us.

"I was overjoyed at the progress of our disadvantaged pupils who out performed national progress by over two thirds of a grade.  

"The class of 2016 lit the way getting in the top 100 in the country and my Class of 2017 eagerly followed suit.

"Great teaching, brilliant relationships and a fiercely loyal community have all contributed to our success and I am deeply grateful for everybody's continued support." 

As a whole, Halton schools were ranked as below average with a Progress 8 score of -0.22, compared to a national average score of -0.03.

The list in full:

1. Ormiston Chadwick Academy

2. Wade Deacon High School

3. Ormiston Bolingbroke Academy

4. The Heath School

5. Saints Peter and Paul Catholic College

6. St Chad’s Catholic and Church of England High School

7. Sandymoor School

8. The Grange School 

For full details and scores of all the secondary schools in Widnes and Runcorn visit http://bit.ly/2Bvjqn2