According to initial league table results, almost half the sixth formers at Downs School got As and Bs in a sharp improvement on last year.

Park House also confirmed its mantle as Newbury’s top school with 52 per cent getting an A or B, up two per cent on last year.

Thatcham's Kennet School remained in third for local state schools, even though it's A and B pass rate fell four per cent.

Still, Kennet beat St Bartholomews into fourth place. The Andover Road foundation school had 47 per cent with As and Bs last year, but only 39 per cent this year. This put St Bartholomews in 439th position nationally - more than 200 places behind its Park House neighbour.

The results are unlikely to have any bearing on local house prices, where homes in the St Bartholomew's catchment area command a premium of up to five per cent.

Conversely, Park House and Kennet catchment areas contain some of the poorest families in the area.

Results for Trinity and John o Gaunt - West Berkshire's two worst performing schools - were not available.