NEW figures have revealed exactly how well students at schools up and down the country progressed academically in the years leading up to sitting their GCSES.

And it is good news for students at Atlantic Academy in Portland with the school in the top 10 per cent nationally having been awarded a Progress 8 score of 0.39. This is up from 0.23 in 2018.

The progress 8 score is a new rating for English secondary schools and was introduced in 2016.

It is an average score for all pupils showing how well they have progressed academically from the end of primary school to when they finish in secondary education.

A school that does well in progress of pupils between Key Stage 2 and Key Stage 4 may not get the very top exam results but they are achieving the most when it comes to students’ development.

Lesley Bishop, principal of Atlantic Academy, said: "The result is a reflection of continuing to do what we do well: quality teaching first, consistency, high expectations for all, develop character, commitment and confidence of our students and a whole school alignment to disruption free learning.

"The Progress 8 scores also show that it does not matter what a student’s starting point is, at Atlantic we will endeavour to ensure that all students realise their full potential and beyond.’

"We want them to leave us as independent young adults prepared their next stage in life and beyond."

The results highlight a year of improvement for Atlantic – it was in the top 10 for most improved secondary school, based on Progress 8, in 2018 after scoring a +23 score, up from -0.94 in 2017.

It was the second most improved secondary school in Dorset and best performing school in Weymouth and Portland.