The latest nationwide league table for schools shows Croydon's students to be neither brainboxes nor under-achievers - rather middle of the road attainers.

The borough weighed in with an overall 39.5 per cent of pupils getting five A* to C GCSE grades this year - ranking Croydon 92nd out of 146 Local Education Authorities (LEAs).

Neighbours Bromley and Sutton fared significantly better in their GCSC results, securing 55.4 and 57.9 per cent respectively.

The tables, released on Monday by Education and Employment Secretary David Blunkett, highlight not only the best and worst schools in the country but also the most improving.

While no LEA schools in Croydon came in the top 100 improving schools, five were marked out for recognition in hauling up their results: St Andrew's C of E High School (Croydon), Archbishop Lanfranc School (Croydon), Norbury Manor High School for Girls (Thornton Heath), Riddlesdown School (Purley), Coloma Convent Girls' School (Croydon) and St Joseph's College (Upper Norwood).

Croydon is well represented by respected independent schools - none of which are included.

Education bosses believe the information will be used by prospective parents when making educational choices for their children.

Hugh Malyan, chairman of Croydon Council's education committee, said: "Bearing in mind the larger than average number of Croydon pupils who go into the independent secondary school sector, then Croydon's secondary schools stand up quite well in comparison with other London boroughs.

"Clearly there is no room for complacency," he added.

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