THE controversial secondary school banding scheme has seem some dramatic changes locally with the publication of the latest educational performances in Wales.

In last year's statistics all the area's secondary schools were grouped together in the middle ranking Band Three grading, which is based on factors such as GCSE performance and attendance.

But this year Crickhowell High School has jumped to the top tier while King Henry VIII Comprehensive School in Abergavenny is relegated to the bottom tier – Band Five. Brynmawr Foundation School remains unchanged in Band Three.

Jackie Parker, headteacher at Crickhowell High said that the she was absolutely delighted with the status. "The grading reflects the hard work and dedication of staff, students, governors and parents in moving the school forward.

"We are absolutely committed to continually raising academic standards and this reflects the progress we've already made in light of the good Estyn report published in November," she said.

This is the second year in which the Welsh government has revealed the banding data, which measures schools against each other as part of an attempt to drive up standards.

Welsh education minister Leighton Andrews said, "The robust data gives us and parents a clear picture of how our schools are performing and provides us with the information we need to challenge schools who are not delivering for our young people in Wales.

Monmouthshire's cabinet member for Children and Young People, Councillor Liz Hacket Pain said, "We have received the banding information for secondary schools and the picture is mixed. Particular praise must go to Caldicot School who have moved from Band five to Band three. Although KHS has been categorised as a Band Five school, largely attributable to a dip in performance at Key Stage four in the summer. We will continue to challenge and support King Henry VIII and other schools in Monmouthshire to improve outcomes for young people."