SCHOOLS across west and north Wiltshire celebrated mixed results following the publication of the GCSE league tables this week.

Pupils from Stonar School in Atworth and St Augustine's Catholic College in Trowbridge achieved high marks across the board.

The league table revealed staff at Matravers School in Westbury and the George Ward School in Melksham had less to cheer about.

For the first time a Value Added Measure was introduced to chart each school's progression in raising educational standards between Year 9 and Year 11 the GCSE years.

Stonar and St Augustine's topped the region, with 81 per cent of pupils achieving five or more A*-C grades.

The Atworth school also came first in the Value Added Measure category with 105.5 per cent.

Headteacher Clare Osborne said: "We are very proud and pleased with our girls' achievements, building on last year's success.

"These excellent results reflect the hard work of the girls and the dedication of the talented staff."

At George Ward, pupils came joint last in west Wiltshire for GCSE grades and bottom for the Value Added Measure.

In 2003 only 45 per cent of pupils gained five or more A*-C grades and the school achieved a 98.7 per cent Value Added Measure.

Headteacher Pam Stoate claimed a two per cent rise in the pass rate was an excellent achievement for the school.

She said: "League tables often give a misleading picture of what a school has to offer because raw scores are unable to tell the whole story.

"Our top students achieved 11 A*/A grades and we are equally proud of those who exceeded expectations with lesser grades.

"In terms of progress that all pupils have made, our results place us within the top 25 per cent of similar schools nationally, showing we are able to release pupils' potential extremely well."

Despite only 45 per cent of pupils passing five or more A*-C grades, teachers at Matravers School were pleased with a marked improvement in the Value Added Measure.

Headteacher Nigel Gilhespy said: "Obviously we are disappointed with our A-C grades but we are making excellent progress in Value Added Measure and our average point score sits well with the national average."

Wiltshire's education director Bob Wolfson said: "Young people in Wiltshire have once again exceeded national averages. This reflects well on their hard work, the talent and commitment of their teachers and the support of those close to them."

l Key to Post-16 table, right: VA Voluntary Aided; CY Community; IND Indepen- dent; FD Foundation; VL Voluntary Controlled; FESI Further Education Sector.

Specialist School: A Arts; T Technology; M Maths and Computing; L Languages; SC Science; S Sport