Medway's GCSE results improved for the seventh year running in official figures released today - but one school was the third-worst in England.

More than half the Towns' 16-year-olds (56%) achieved the government benchmark of five A* to C grades including English and maths, up from 54% last year.

A-level scores stayed high, but dipped slightly for the first time in five years.

Yet the Bishop of Rochester Academy, Chatham, had just 16% of pupils attaining the GCSE benchmark. Only Oak Farm Community School in Surrey (9%) and St Aldhelm’s Academy in Dorset (3%) had worse rates.

More than 700 other schools in England had worse results, but they were all special or private schools, where students are not required to sit GCSEs.

Bishop of Rochester head teacher Christopher Sweetman quit in May after a string of problems in the academy's first year.

Kent's secondary school results

Just 16% of pupils achieved the GCSE benchmark - the recommended minimum is 35% - despite better rates the year before at Medway Community College (25%) and Chatham South (26%), which merged to form the academy.

Medway's worst-performing schools have much higher numbers of poor pupils. More than a fifth at the Bishop of Rochester Academy have free school meals, or are in care.

An academy spokesman said the results were “disappointing” but leadership changes, including new vice-principal Kuljit Rahelu and governing body chairman Brigita Amey, would give “clearer lines of responsibility and accountability”

The spokesman added: "The senior leadership team has been strengthened. After-school and Saturday classes and an accelerated literacy programme have been introduced. Early maths GCSE results indicate over 31% of pupils are at the required standard."

Mr Boxall added: “I am confident these decisive steps in terms of both staffing and interventions will work alongside the ongoing efforts of staff to bring about the necessary changes needed to raise attainment.”

Elsewhere, Medway's grammar and private schools topped both tables. Chatham's Fort Pitt Grammar led the way with 100% of pupils achieving the GCSE benchmark.

Executive principal Julia Bell said: "I am thrilled. I would like to pay tribute to the quality of teaching, learning and teamwork throughout the school and the collaboration with parents."

Gillingham's Robert Napier School and Brompton Academy were second- and third-worst, after both fell behind their own GCSE results from 2010.

However the Hundred of Hoo Comprehensive, whose head teacher Kevin Mahon was suspended over "management issues" last year, improved and passed the government benchmark for the first time.

Despite improving overall, the Towns' results were below the national average of 59% of pupils gaining five A* to C grades including English and maths, and an A-level score of 746.

Cabinet member for children's services Cllr Les Wicks (Con) said: "We have a strong record of improvement here in Medway and I'm confident that this trend will continue."

Full tables with detailed results for every school in tomorrow's Medway Messenger.

The secondary school league tables - what's new?

The tables continue to show the number of pupils achieving five or more GCSEs at grades A* to C including maths and English as the main benchmark.

However, this year the tables also include a new indicator known as English Baccalaureate to measure performance.

This shows the number of pupils achieving five or more GCSEs at grades A*to C in core subjects. These are English, maths, one science, one foreign language and one humanity subject.

The tables also carry more detail about how well disadvantaged pupils are performing compared to others.

This is measured by looking at GCSE passes of those on free school meals or in care and comparing them with those who are not disadvantaged.

The value added measure in the tables is calculated by comparing each pupil’s best eight GCSEs and taking into account their different starting points and progress since arriving from primary school.

A score of 1,000 is the average so everything above that is regarded as adding value.