NEW statistics show South Lakeland schools are streaks ahead of the national average.

Both primary schools and secondary schools across the region have recorded bumper figures for Key Stage Four and GCSE results.

The average percentage of children securing five or more A*-C grades at GCSE is 61.7% - 5.1% higher than the national average of 56.6%.

Queen Elizabeth School (QES) in Kirkby Lonsdale is leading the way, with 79% of its pupils walking away with more than five A*-C grades.

In total, six secondary schools from South Lakeland achieved results better than the national average, with Dallam School, Settlebeck High, Kirkbie Kendal, Queen Katherine School and Cartmel Priory CofE School just trailing QES.

With such positive results, Cllr Clare Feeney-Johnson, Cabinet Member for Schools and Learning, was overjoyed.

She said: "It's fabulous news for all the schools but also for all the young people. The level of teaching really is outstanding and we are very lucky to have such brilliant schools in South Lakeland."

She credits the Cumbria Alliance of System Leaders (CASL) for the results, which are 1.1% better than in 2013.

CASL is a forum for teachers from different schools to discuss areas of improvement and learn from each other to benefit their own schools.

Cllr Feeney-Johnson said: "It's down to the dedication of the teachers but also the schools supporting each other and sharing expertise."

There is a marked difference between the performances of schools in South Lakeland and those in Furness, where schools on average recorded results that are 2.1% lower than the national average.

Only six schools performed better than the average national statistics, with Ulverston Victoria coming out on top with 62% of pupils achieving more than five A*-C grades.

Barrow and Furness MP John Woodcock said: "It is clear there is still a huge amount of work to do to raise attainment across Furness – at some schools, the majority of young people are not getting the good GCSEs they need, damaging their employment prospects and making it harder to break the cycle of poverty and deprivation we see in the area."

The region's primary schools also recorded astounding figures with 100% of pupils at nine schools achieving level 4 or above in Key Stage Two reading, writing and maths.

Yealand Church of England Primary School in Carnforth went from just 57% of their pupils making the grade in 2013 to 100% in 2014, the most dramatic increase of any primary school in the North West.

Headmistress Joy Ingram said: "It's great news for the school - we're thriving. It's down to the dedication of the teaching staff who introduced an element of challenge to make sure children can make exceptional progress."

On average, primary schools in Cumbria saw 79% of their pupils achieve level 4 or above in reading, writing and maths, which matches the national average exactly.