A-LEVEL Students in Oxfordshire are achieving results below the national average, according to league tables published today.

Sixth-formers at state schools and further education colleges in the county achieved an average of 721.3 points in their exams, compared with the national average of 744.8 points across all institutions and 726.5 points in state schools and colleges.

An A grade in an A-Level scores 120 points, but students can also earn points from vocational qualifications, music exams and even horse-riding certificates.

The best performing state-sector sixth form in Oxfordshire was Faringdon Community College, where students scored an average of 929.8 points.

The results put it in the top 170 state schools in the country for A-Level results.

Headteacher David Williams said: “We were delighted with the results, as they exceeded all our expectations.

“ I feel very proud of how well the students have done. They’re a credit to themselves, their parents and the school.”

The county’s three academy schools were among the bottom four performing sixth-forms, with an average of 581.3 points achieved at the former Oxford School and 542.6 points at North Oxfordshire Academy, in Banbury.

St Clare’s international college won the battle of the county’s private schools and colleges to achieve the highest average A-Level point score per pupil last year.

Students at the college, which teaches the International Baccalaureate instead of A-Levels, scored an average of 1160.5 points, compared with 1,116 points at Magdalen College School, 1,088 points at Oxford High School, and 1,047 points at Radley College.