INVERCLYDE Academy is one of the most improved schools in the country according to new figures on exam attainment.

In the last year the rate of pupils achieving five or more passes at the secondary school has surged.

It's been hailed as a huge achievement for the school, where 60 per cent of all pupils live in areas classed as the most deprived in Scotland.

Education convenor Jim Clocherty today poured praise on head teacher Denise Crawford and her team for their work in recent years.

Councillor Clocherty said: "Inverclyde Academy is a brilliant school led by a fantastic head teacher in Denise.

"She also has a great team behind her as well.

"They have achieved fantastic results at the school."

Last year Inverclyde Academy was near the foot of the national league table - ranked at 309, with only 19 per cent of pupils passing five highers.

According to the latest results they are now ranked at 191, with 31 per cent of pupils passing five of the exams.

Head teacher Mrs Crawford has put a distinct ethos in place at the school, with a greater emphasis on skills for work.

Pupils of all abilities are given opportunities for work experience and given tailored support.

She has introduced facilities similar to college and is also investing in school counsellors to support her pupils after concerns were raised by young people about the impact mental health had on learning.

The highest local school in the latest set of figures is Clydeview Academy, now up to 32nd place, with 54 per cent of pupils gaining five highers.

Fellow Gourock school St Columba's is ranked 115th with a five higher pass rate of 38 per cent, while Notre Dame in Greenock is in 144th with a pass rate of 35 per cent.

Both have slipped down the rankings this year.

Port Glasgow High has moved up the way to 194th, with a five highers pass rate of 31 per cent.

St Stephen's High School is the lowest ranked of the local schools at number 291, with a five higher pass rate of 23 per cent.

Although the stats are widely read by parents there has over the years been criticism of the way such league tables are compiled.

Critics accuse them of being a crude measure and say that they fail to take the wider factors affecting attainment into account.

Others say credit is not given to schools who may have lots of pupils passing four highers with top grades.