LEAGUE TABLES SPECIAL: One GCSE candidate in every two who took the exams this summer got at least five A* to C-grades.

It meant the Government has met a 1997 target a year early.

And almost 89 per cent of pupils managed a minimum of five passes of some sort, revised data showed.

Teacher's union leaders said the figures showed there was no need to tamper with GCSEs as the system was working well.

The figures were first issued last month but Government statisticians revised them upwards after further checks by schools and colleges in England. Girls were still in front in the battle of the sexes, with 55.4 per cent achieving five A* to Cs, compared with 44 per cent of boys.

A Christian comprehensive has topped this year's GCSE chart, beating top public and grammar schools alike.

All 177 candidates at Coopers' Company and Coborn School in Upminster, Essex, scored at least five A* to C-grades this year and took the title of top performer in the state sector.