The 2004 GCSE results have shown improvement once again but the increase in top grades from last year has been the biggest since 1999. TIM ASHTON reports on the Bromley schools leading the way ...

Pupils at the Ravensbourne School, Hayes Lane, Bromley, have achieved a 25 per cent increase in A*-C GCSE passes on last year, making it one of the most improved schools in London.

To put this achievement in perspective, the national increase on last year's results was 1.1 per cent.

Speaking of the school's overall 60 per cent pass rate at A*-C grade, headteacher Paul Murphy said: "I am delighted for the staff, the students and their parents who have all contributed exceptionally to the extremely pleasing results."

Elsewhere Kemnal Technology College, Sevenoaks Way, Sidcup, achieved its "best ever" results when 60 per cent of students achieved A*-C grades.

Spencer Lucas, 16, attracted particular attention with nine A and two A* grade passes. The avid Arsenal fan, of Capstone Road, Bromley, will now study A levels in maths, economics and psychology.

He said: "I'm really pleased with the grades although I don't know what I shall do as a career.

"In the run up to the exams I did a lot of relaxing and a bit of revising. I didn't want to get my hopes up too high because whatever happens, happens."

Spencer's college principal John Atkins said: "His achievement was outstanding as was the whole school's. It was a team effort involving the staff, the boys and their parents."

Top marks for Lulee

Lulee Ma of selective Newstead Wood School for Girls, achieved the highest maths grade in the country under the AQA exam board.

She also achieved 11 other A* grades and one A grade.

Lulee, 16, of Cathcart Drive, Orpington, is an aspiring actress but she also has her eye on another lucrative career.

The keen singer and dancer said: "I'd like to do law and economics at university. I think being a barrister or something connected to finance would be good."

All the schools which notified News Shopper of their results by the time we went to press beat the national average of 59.2 per cent passes for A*-C grades.

This included Orpington College of further education where principal Kevin Finnigan celebrated their 60 per cent pass rate by saying: "These results reflect huge effort on the part of our students. They should be very proud."