Fewer than one in six children in care in Oxfordshire left school with five good GCSEs last year.

The Government’s Department for Children, Schools and Families has released information about how well so-called ‘looked after’ children do in everything from hitting educational targets to involvement in crime or substance abuse.

‘Looked after’ children refers to youngsters in care, including fostering, residential homes, and those who are placed under a care plan with parents or relatives.

In the year to last September, Oxfordshire County Council had responsibility for 270 looked after children.

Fifty children were of GCSE age and 68.8 per cent of those sat at least one exam last summer. A total of 66.7 per cent achieved at least one GCSE, compared to a county average of 98.6 per cent, and only 14.6 per cent managed five A* to Cs or equivalent – the county average was 67 per cent.

That was an increase on last year, when only 56 per cent of pupils achieved a single GCSE pass.

Last year, 15 children in care were cautioned or convicted of an offence – eight per cent of all looked after children, compared with three per cent of all children aged between 10-17.

Thirty children were identified as having a substance misuse problem.

Oxfordshire County Council spokesman Louise Mendonca said: “The county council regards itself as the corporate parent of these young people and like any other parent is determined to do the best for them.

“We work closely with schools and health authorities – particularly in relation to sexual health and substance abuse – and youth offending teams, district councils and a range of voluntary organisations to provide intensive support for this group of very vulnerable and often troubled children.”

She pointed out that the county council had recently created a ‘virtual school’ for children in this category, aimed at offering catch-up help and support to students, their carers and schools.

The virtual school – which involves online help and visits from teachers – also helps with advice on employment, education and training, along with housing support.

Ms Mendonca said: “Because many of these young people are troubled and/or traumatised when they come into care, their catch-up rate can take longer, but increasing numbers are making good progress, in particular those going to university and in further education, training schemes or gaining employment.”

Eighty-one per cent of looked after children remained in full-time education after year 11, compared with 73 per cent last year.

It is difficult to compare Oxfordshire performance nationally due to the small numbers involved – for example fewer children in Oxfordshire achieve a single GCSE than the national average, but more achieve five GCSEs than in England overall.