Education leaders in Norfolk have expressed confidence in the performance of its secondary schools after new figures showed an increase in the rate of progress by students.

Provisional data from the Department for Education (DfE) shows the number of pupils in the county who achieved 9 to 4 grade passes in GCSE English and maths this summer was 62pc, while the number achieving the stronger 9 to 5 pass in the subjects was 39.3pc.

Meanwhile the county's Progress 8 score, used by the government to gauge how well GCSE students have progressed compared with others nationally who achieved similar grades at Key Stage 2, rose to -0.01.

Many schools achieved a positive Progress 8 score such as Ormiston Venture Academy in Gorleston, which received a score of 0.4 after adjustment for extreme scores, and Dereham Neatherd High School which scored 0.34.

A Norfolk County Council spokesman said the provisional results 'show students' improvements'.

He said: 'This is down to the hard work of students, teachers and school leaders, who have met the challenge to adapt to the new, more demanding GCSE examinations, most of which were sat for the first time this year.

'Norfolk secondary schools have made significant improvements in recent years. Ofsted statistics show that at the end of September, 81% of Norfolk secondary schools were judged good or outstanding compared to 76% nationally.

'As almost all secondary schools in Norfolk are now in academy trusts, we will work closely with the regional schools commissioner to identify those which may need further support or challenge to improve outcomes for all students in Norfolk.'

The DfE documents, released on Tuesday, show 7,490 pupils in Norfolk took part in the summer exams, for which results were released to students in August.

Of the 91 Norfolk schools listed, Wymondham High Academy came out in the top three for Attainment 8 scores (students' average grades across eight subjects) with an average of 54.3, and a 75pc 9 to 4 pass rate for English and maths.

Principal Jonathan Rockley said: 'We are delighted to be the highest performing secondary school in Norfolk. It demonstrates the commitment of pupils and staff to the learning journey here at Wymondham High and recognises our dedication to succeed with all young people.'

Among the other high achievers were Framingham Earl High School, with an average Attainment 8 score of 50.9 and a 77pc 9 to 4 pass rate, and Hethsett Academy, with an Attainment 8 score of 50.2 and 9 to 4 English and Maths pass rate of 79pc.

A spokesman for the Inspiration Trust said the organisation was 'happy' with the progress which had been made by some of its schools, including East Point Academy in Lowestoft, which was listed in the top 400 schools nationally for Progress 8 scores, and Great Yarmouth Charter Academy, which saw its progress score increase from -0.57 to -0.06.

Thetford Academy recorded a progress score of -0.1, and principal Dan Carter said the school had also seen some 'great individual results'.

'Since joining in the summer, I've made changes to ensure that our pupils make even better progress in the years ahead, and that they achieve the qualifications they deserve, particularly in English and Maths,' he said.

Out of 151 authorities nationally, Norfolk was 89th for 9 to 4 pass rate and 106th for 9 to 5 pass rate.