A headteacher has said “the highest grades are not just the preserve of selective schools”, after his school was ranked in the top five per cent nationally.

Bob Hamlyn made the comment after it was announced that Wanstead High School is one of the best in the country when measured on how its pupils progress.

The new indicator, introduced by the government this year, studies how children improve from the end of primary school to when they finish Year 11.

Pupils’ GSCE exam results in eight subjects are compared with other schoolchildren who got similar results at the end of Key Stage Two.

The Department for Education (DfE) released the Progress 8 scores this month, and the school in Redbridge Lane West, Wanstead, is well above average – in the top fivepc nationwide.

Mr Hamlyn told the Recorder the results showed “the highest grades are not just the preserve of selective schools”.

He said: “We are delighted with the results that were published this month.

“They reflect the very hard work put in by both staff and students, supported by parents – we see the education of our youngsters as a real team effort.

“The fact that many students achieved the very highest grades, alongside the very positive result for progress for all students, shows that a successful comprehensive school like Wanstead High School can deliver excellence for all.”

The government brought in the new Progress 8 score to ensure schools focus on all children, who have good and bad grades.

Mr Hamlyn added that the school had also exceeded government targets in all other performance indicators.

In the summer Wanstead High School achieved its best ever GCSE results and several students got into top universities.

Mr Hamlyn highlighted Scarlett Milner-Stopps who achieved two A*s and a A to get into Exeter University and Jessica Phillips will study at the University of Cambridge.