Recently published 'leagues' of exam results across Scotland show the majority of the area's eight secondaries languishing in the bottom half of the table.

The only bright spot appears to be the improvement of Standard Grade results by Grangemouth High pupils who went from 288th to 146th place overall.

Education director Julia Swan reassured parents attainment remained the "highest priority" in all schools and every effort would be made by officials to bring about improvements.

The number of Grangemouth HS pupils gaining five or more Standard Grades last May rose from 68 per cent to 80 per cent.

The other schools in the district had varying results:

* St Mungo's youngsters' achievements rose by one per cent to 78 per cent as they came in 169th.

* Larbert High fell to 200th place by dropping four per cent to 75 per cent.

* Graeme High rose to 217th place by going up one per cent to 73 per cent.

* Braes High fell 50 placings to 232 by going down seven per cent to 71 per cent.

* Denny HS (232) fell by two per cent to 71 per cent.

* Bo'ness Academy and Falkirk High were the poorest performing local schools in joint 262nd place, Bo'ness down one per cent and Falkirk up one per cent to 68.

The best performing school for pupils achieving three or more Highers was St Mungo's in 151st place, despite dropping three per cent to 22 per cent and 38 places.