BOURNEMOUTH'S grammar schools have been rated in the top 10 performing state schools in the south west.

They are revealed in Parent Power, The Sunday Times Schools Guide 2019.

Bournemouth School for Girls(BSG) appears as seventh in the list with almost 73 per cent of its A levels passed at grades A*-B and 69 per cent of GCSEs at A*-A.

Bournemouth School(BS) is in tenth place with 67 per cent and 65 per cent.

The girls' school was ranked 68th nationally and the boys' school 104th.

Head teachers at the schools said they are delighted but believe that exam results do not give an overall picture of a school.

Dr Dorian Lewis, head at BS, said: "Whilst we are pleased that our students' achievements at A-level and GCSE have been recognised and resulted in a significant improvement in our position in the Sunday Times Parent Power listings, just using the percentage of the highest grades awarded fails to give parents an accurate picture of a school's provision.

"It is a real shame that the Sunday Times have chosen not to focus upon the progress made by students, and that consequently the successes of other local schools have not been acknowledged."

Alistair Brien at BSG added: "I am delighted that out students' success has been recognised in this way. As anyone who knows our school will agree, there is far more to our school than top class exam results."