There has been much to celebrate in Southampton with recent record-smashing exam results but two city schools are toasting extra success.

Thanks to their rocketing GCSE performances, Chamberlayne and Cantell schools can claim to be among the most improved in the country.

Both have recorded huge leaps over the course of the past three years in the number of pupils reaching the gold standard five GCSE at A* to C including maths and English, along with recording excellent progress levels.

It means that compared with national figures they are among the top 25 most improved when comparing results from 2010 and last year’s GCSEs.

Ewan Scott, Chamberlayne head teacher, said: “This position on the list is again proof that what we are doing is right, that the absolute insistence on good behaviour which allows the teachers to teach good and outstanding lessons is working.

“The total focus on ensuring that the students have every opportunity to succeed and make more progress than expected, coupled with the determination of everyone to be the best, is producing phenomenal results.

“I am immensely proud of all the students, their families and the staff at Chamberlayne and their response to the challenges that I put to them and the progress that they make. We haven’t finished yet – there is more to come!”

Schools across Hampshire have also been in line for praise from the Government after receiving letters from schools minister David Laws commending their successes in either attainment or progress.

Mr Laws said: “We are all working for the same goal – to give our children the best start in life and equip them with the tools they need to succeed in the modern world, whatever they choose to do.

“These schools are the best in the country and have earned every bit of praise. The results are a testament to the hard work of teachers, pupils and governors, and I hope others will learn from their example.”

Among those schools receiving letters of congratulations were Thornden School in Chandler’s Ford, the Westgate School and Kings School in Winchester and Crofton School in Stubbington.