A GREENOCK school placed near the foot of a controversial list ranking every secondary in the country has been defended by education bosses and young people.

Inverclyde Academy, which has 800 pupils, has been graded 311th because only 19 per cent of its pupils gained five or more highers.

But local education chiefs and ex-pupils have criticised the performance table, which fails to take into account other measures of success.

An Inverclyde Council spokesman said: "Education Scotland’s opinion is that Inverclyde secondary schools are attaining better for young people with similar characteristics than those being educated in other areas of Scotland.

"League tables - particularly those based on very narrow criteria such as how many pupils get five highers or more – do not give a true picture of what is actually going on in a school.

"Simply comparing the number of exams passed does not take into account the context of the school – if it’s in a rich or poor area, if the pupils get a lot of help and encouragement at home and if the pupils themselves aspire to do highers."

Sixty per cent of Inverclyde Academy pupils live in areas classed as the most deprived in the country and less than ten per cent come from the most affluent.

Thirty per cent of all pupils qualify for free school meals.

In contrast, the school ranked in number one spot - grant-aided Jordanhill in Glasgow's west end - takes in less than ten per cent of pupils from the poorest areas and almost 80 per cent come from the most affluent areas.

Less than ten per cent of the school qualifies for free school meals.

Despite its challenges, Inverclyde Academy has been recognised for having a good record on delivering 'positive destinations' for pupils when they leave.

One such ex-pupil, Leah Canning, today hit out at the league table as she praised Inverclyde Academy for helping her land her dream career.

The 18-year-old, who has claimed a clutch of awards for her enterprise achievements over the years, recently chose a modern apprenticeship over university.

She is now working with the Scottish Qualifications Authority after coming out top in a competitive recruitment programme.

The teenager, who battled health problems to excel at school, said: "Basing a performance table to exam results will never be a true reflection of the school.

"Many factors need to be taken into consideration - how many pupils at other schools near the top paid for personal tutors?

"How many pupils have learning difficulties and find exams hard, how many come from disadvantaged backgrounds?

"How many pupils have physical or mental health problems and can’t cope with exam pressure?

"The list is endless but this clearly has not been taken into consideration when publishing these tables."

Leah, who lives in McLeod Street in the east end of Greenock, says Inverclyde Academy has been 'transformed' over the last five years, with a greater emphasis on skills for work.

She told the Tele: "Teachers at the school are very supportive and approachable.

"They are more than happy to sit with you at lunch to help you understand anything and even give up time after school to run supported study sessions.

"The head teacher Denise Crawford is without a doubt the reason why the school changed for good - she brings in new initiatives each year and is more than happy to listen to staff, pupils and parents to gain their views.

"There is so much more to a school than just exams.

"It’s about making sure the pupils are equipped with the necessary skills to do well in life when they are leaving.

"I could have went to university with the grades I got in August but choosing the Modern Apprenticeship was the correct path for me.

"It doesn't matter whether your school is first or last in the country.

"What does matter is that the school supports their pupils to do their best and that’s all Inverclyde Academy will ask for."

The highest ranking school in Inverclyde on the newly-published list was Clydeview Academy in 40th, with 51 per cent passing five or more highers, followed by St Columba's in 84th, Notre Dame at 110th, Port Glasgow High in 223rd and St Stephen's in 278th.