School pupils across Brent have smashed national benchmark rates for “good” GCSE results, according to the latest schools league tables published last week.

Nationally, 53.4 per cent of pupils achieved the government standard of five or more A* to C GCSE grades in 2014.

It compares with 60 per cent in Brent according to figures released by the Department for Education (DfE), a score three per cent better than the national state school average of 56.8 per cent.

There were fears that tough government reforms introduced last year would cause a national decline in grades as results from resits were scrapped, meaning the figures relied solely on students who took their exams for the first time at the end of their two-year course.

Cllr Ruth Moher, Brent Council’s cabinet member for children and young people, said: “These figures are certainly encouraging and are testament to the hard work that has been put in by the council and the schools to help improve the quality of education in the borough.

“Despite the changes to the examinations system which has made it harder for pupils to do well, our young people have performed exceptionally well and excelled the national benchmark, so I am delighted for them.”

She added: “While it is good that we are performing well, we still have much more work to do and will continue to do everything we can to drive up standards even further.”

Brent saw a recorded fall, from 62.9 per cent last year but a climb from 2012’s result of 58.7 per cent.

Independent school, Islamia Girls’ Secondary School in Salusbury Road, Queen’s Park, scored 100 per cent.

Wembley High Technology College in East Lane, north Wembley, came top in the state sector with 84 per cent, followed by Kingsbury High School in Princes Avenue, Kingsbury,with 69 per cent and Claremont High School, Claremont Avenue, with 66 per cent.