Sixth formers at St Mark’s Church of England Academy in Mitcham, part of Anthem Schools Trust, achieved well above expectations in their A-levels last year, statistics released by the Department for Education show.

St Mark’s is the four highest ranking school in England – and the second highest ranking state school – in the government’s Progress Score category, which tracks students’ progress from GCSE to A-level.

The figures – also known as “value added” scores – show how much progress A-level students made between the end of Key Stage 4 (GCSEs) and the end of their sixth form studies, compared to similar students in England.

A score above zero means students made more progress, on average, than students across England who got similar GCSEs, while a score below zero means students made less progress.

St Mark’s has a score of 0.88, indicating that it is well above average for progress, with students achieving almost one grade higher in each subject than students who achieved similar grades to them at GCSE.

This rating is the latest feather in the cap of the Mitcham academy which last year was rated as “outstanding” in all categories by Ofsted and praised for going “above and beyond to support pupils in all aspects of their education”.

Executive Headteacher of St Mark’s CofE Academy, Hannah Fahey, said: “I am incredibly proud of every member of our community for the part they have played in securing these record breaking outcomes.

“Our mission at St Mark’s Academy is to transform lives through the inclusive Christian values of love, hope, and trust. These results remind us what is possible when a whole body of staff and students live and breathe that mission.

“I can’t wait to hear about the positive contribution our sensational young people make on this world.”