Updated data from Norfolk's secondary schools suggests GCSE pupils could meet a key county council target this year.

A report published last week said 58pc were set to gain at least five GCSEs at A*-C, including English and maths, compared the council's aim of 60pc.

However, the original data concentrated on schools who were performing less well, and the council carried out a one-off survey of the better performing schools, which it said produced the higher figure.

Last year, 54pc of Norfolk pupils aged 16 achieved the government's gold standard.

Gordon Boyd, assistant director of children's services, said: 'We should take all of that with a pinch of salt. There are predictions and not results.'

However, he said the council checks the data.

The revised data also suggests 78pc of pupils leaving primary schools will reach the level expected, compared to a council goal of 77pc.