DURHAM Johnston School renewed its claim to be one of the country's best performing state schools with a string of sparkling results.

The Durham City comprehensive's 153 A-level candidates - most sitting three or four exams - scored a pass rate of 96.7 per cent. The national average is 89 per cent.

Of those, 25 achieved three A grades or better, and eight scored the top grade in four subjects.

Six passed four subjects with As, and their AS in general studies.

Kate Stringer, 18, of Durham, had straight As in English literature, sociology, German and general studies and achieved one of the top five marks for sociology out of 18,798 candidates. She plans to study German and Italian at Bristol University.

Esther Bintliff scored As in general studies, English literature - she was among the top performers out of 19,249 candidates nationwide - economics and history and is heading to Queens College, Cambridge, to study English.

Deputy head Pat Dwyer said: "Generally we are delighted with the results - very pleased.

"Raw scores are very nice and ours are brilliant, but we need to look beyond raw scores and look to see if the youngsters are matching their potential or exceeding it.

"The number of candidates getting straight As is improving and we had 13 Oxbridge offers.

"The average percentage point score without general studies is 21.21 per pupil and 23.98 per pupil including general studies.''

The of the school's candidates failed to pass just 12 of the exams they sat.

The school usually ranks in the top ten whatever way the "league table'' is calculated and it is waiting to see where it is placed following this year's results.

Mrs Dwyer said: "It is good to see the pupils, who have worked so hard for their results, looking happy and relieved.''