THE Government last night reserved special praise for two of the region's star performers in the latest round of school league tables for 14-year-olds.

School Standards Minister Stephen Twigg singled out Stanley School of Technology and Dene Community School of Technology, in Peterlee, for their key stage three results in English, science and maths.

Both County Durham schools showed a big leap in the number of pupils achieving the expected score of level five, particularly in English and maths, and are among the top 100 fastest improving schools in the country.

Mr Twigg said: "We should pay tribute to the dedication of pupils and staff at these two schools. We are particularly pleased that a number of schools which operate in some of the more challenging areas are seeing the most rapid improvement."

Eastbourne Comprehensive School, in Darlington, also improved, having been relieved in December of special measures imposed by Ofsted. The number of pupils achieving level five in maths has now risen from 48 per cent to 58 per cent, with English and science also improving.

The school formed a partnership with Hurworth Comprehensive to raise standards at both schools, and last year it had record GSCE results.

Headteacher Karen Pemberton said: "Children cannot be written off because of where they live or how badly they have done in the past.

"What we have done here is to focus very heavily on getting the pupils engaged and targeting resources at those with the greatest need."

Greenfield School Community and Arts College, in Newton Aycliffe, which has arts status, had 85 per cent of pupils achieve level five in English, up from 70 per cent, while science also improved.

Hall Garth School, in Middlesbrough, was the only school from the region in a list of the bottom 200 schools nationally, with 40 per cent of pupils achieving level five in English; 47 per cent in maths and 42 per cent in science. Along with King's Manor, it is to be replaced by a £90m school for 1,400 students.

Ripon Grammar School, in North Yorkshire, was again top in the region, with 97 per cent for English, and 98 per cent for maths and science.