Prestigious society magazine Tatler has named Mullion School as amongst the best 20 state secondary schools in the country.

The current issue contains the 2018 State Schools Guide, which includes a list of 20 non fee paying schools offering "gold star" standard of education.

Mullion School was selected for its strengths alongside traditional academic subjects, in particular its specialism in the performing arts.

As a result it ranks alongside the likes Sir Ben Ainslie and Alex Chung's alma mater, Peter Symonds College in Hampshire, and a school in St Albans where pupils allegedly have to live within 1,000 metres of the school gate in order to win a place.

Explaining the reason behind the list, Tatler states: "When we first published our first State Schools Guide the reaction was one of flabbergasted amazement... Wake up, world: these days, most "People Like Us" a) can't necessarily afford to send our children to private schools and b) don't necessarily want to."

Mullion headteacher Wayne Randle said the school was "very pleased" to be included, telling the Packet: "It's always nice to be recognised for what you're doing. We are very proud of the job we do here for the students so it's nice other people recognise that."

Its inclusion should perhaps come as no surprise, however, considering that Mullion has been in the top 20 per cent of schools in the country for GCSE results for the last three years running. Last year it was the top school in Cornwall and was in the top five schools of the same size and intake nationally.

What Tatler has particularly commented on, however, is the extra-curricular activities that run alongside the academia, most notably the performing arts but also sport.

Mr Randle added: "We don't see them as something that gets in the way of academic subjects but enhances them. We believe it's not just about academia, it's about developing the whole child."

A spokesperson for Tatler said: "In researching our state schools guide, we look at the obvious, quantifiable criteria like results and facilities but, over and above these, we talk to parents to get the local, word-of-mouth reputation.

"We have a vastly experienced team of researchers up and down the country who are all parents and who give us chapter and verse on the schools on their patch. As with our other guides to independent schools and nurseries, we look beyond the league tables and Ofsted reports to give our readers the inside track."