By Seán O'Regan

Assumption Secondary School in Walkinstown in Dublin leads the way in the list that examines the percentage of students that go on to third level education.

That's according to the Sunday Independent School League tables, which found the south-side school sent 100% of their students to third level education last year, up from 42% ten years ago.

Nationwide, three other schools saw all of their pupils progress to college or university.

They are St. Murdochs in Ballina, Sacred Heart in Drogheda and Our Lady of Mercy Secondary School in Waterford City.

Wayne O'Connor of the Sunday Independent who compiled the list says the tables are not an examination of the 'best' schools, but a mark of how schools are performing academically.

Looking around the country, Deerpark CBS in Cork is the most improved school in Munster - 75% of its students secured a place at third level.

In Connacht, Galway Community College takes the top spot, while in Ulster, Crana College in Buncrana is the most improved school in the northern province.

Removing Dublin from the equation, Colaiste Chraobh Abhann in Kilcoole is Leinster's most improved school.

A decade ago, the Wicklow school saw only 18 per cent of its students progress to education beyond the Leaving Certificate.

Fast forward ten years, it placed 70% of its students went on to college or university.