DORSET schools today rocketed up the GCSE league tables - moving from 27th nationwide last year to 15th.

Figures published today reveal youngsters in Dorset are improving their performance at GCSE by twice the national average rate - with results rising in the county by 3.3 per cent on last year.

Dorset is placed 15th out of 150 education authorities in the country according to the latest tables charting GCSE results from last summer.

The statistics show 56.4 per cent of Dorset pupils scooped five A*-C grades at GCSE compared with the national average of 50 per cent.

Dorset's director of education, David Goddard praised pupils and staff for their stunning showing in the national league tables.

He said: "This shows that Dorset youngsters and their families are getting a good deal from the county's schools. Our results have not only continued to improve year on year but consistently at a rate higher than the national average."

The Isles of Scilly topped the tables this year and Poole was placed eighth out of 150. But Dorset was 12 places ahead of neighbouring authority Hampshire with which it is often compared when lobbying for more government resources for schools.

Tim Balmforth, headteacher at All Saints - Weymouth's top performing school in the tables - said: "We are all delighted with the pupils' achievements here and clearly the county's results as a whole are excellent.

"I am always cautious with league tables, which only measure one aspect of school life. But I'd like to celebrate the hard work of everyone who made these achievements possible."

Dr Iain Melvin, principal of Thomas Hardye School in Dorchester - which scooped top marks in the county - said today: "Of course we're extremely pleased with the performances of youngsters in last year's GCSE exams. The results are down to a lot of hard work from pupils and staff. However the league tables are a blunt instrument which only take account of a small element of what schools achieve."

South Dorset MP, Jim Knight described Dorset schools' achievement as impressive - but said the county's success should not detract from the on-going campaign to win better education funding for local schools.

He said: "I applaud the achievements of pupils and the efforts of teaching staff and all those involved with schools in Dorset - especially given the level of resources that go into our schools.

"But the funding situation is a matter of fairness - and currently youngsters here can expect £132 per head less than children in Hampshire.

"That begs the question how well could our young people do if they were getting the kind of funding schools enjoy in many other local authorities across the country."

County GCSE league table and more reaction - see later story