Poole School Bottom Of League Tables

Thousands of teenagers are still failing to get good GCSE results after being let down by under-performing schools, new league tables suggest.

Newly published statistics show that 107 secondaries in England did not reach tough government targets which ministers say are intended to raise standards.

Schools that fail to meet the strict thresholds have been warned they are at risk of closure or being taken over if they do not improve.

Today's league tables are based on GCSE, as well as A-level results, for 2011.

2011's bottom school was St Aldhelm's Academy in Poole, Dorset, which saw just 3% of the 115 candidates gain five GCSEs at grades C and above.

The school opened as an academy in September 2010, sponsored by the Diocese of Salisbury and Bournemouth University.

Borough of Poole has no direct role in the management of St Aldhelm's Academy, but Councillor Janet Walton, Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Children, Families and Youth Services at the council, commented: "The decision to pursue academy status was endorsed by the council and the school's governing body as it was felt that the aims of the academy programme and the sponsors would provide the best route to achieving the further improvements required to address the long-standing issues of underachievement at the school and raising students' aspirations."

"The council was very concerned to learn of the Academy's GCSE results for 2011 and shares the sponsors' disappointment with this outcome. It has offered its support to work with the principal and governing body of the Academy to ensure all necessary action is taken to improve the situation."