LEWISHAM’S schools are bottom of the class in the capital, according to government league tables.

Statistics from the Department for Education show just 48 per cent of the borough’s GCSE students achieved five A* to C grades including English and maths last year - well below the national average of 55.2 per cent.

The results put them bottom in London alongside Haringey and below Greenwich, which had a 50.1 per cent average.

Lib Dem Councillor Jenni Clutten said: “We want to see much better results. Those figures are real young people who aren’t being given the education they deserve.

“The council has to accept it needs to be more hands on and get involved when necessary.”

Primary school SATS results published last year showed Lewisham pupils beating the national average but the new tables seem to show their achievement falls away after that.

Cllr Clutten said: “You can see in the results that high schools are not able to follow up after primary schools make a good start.”

But cabinet member for children and young people Councillor Helen Klier said the tables showed the borough making “steady progress”.

She said: “The Lewisham average of young people gaining five GCSEs has increased by 25 per cent since 2003, and including English and maths, by 18 per cent.

“While it’s true to say these latest results show a mixture of performance from Lewisham schools, it should also be noted that those that were once in challenging positions are now exceeding expectations and producing their best ever results.”