Last year 630 schools had fewer than 30 per cent of pupils achieve five GCSEs grades A* to C. But this year only 440 fell into the National Challenge bracket.
Results at academies also improved, but only a third of pupils at academies got more than five or more GCSEs grades A* to C including English and mathematics.
This year's GCSE pupils were the first to complete their whole education under Labour.
Despite improvements, overall half of young people failed to achieve five or more GCSEs grades A* to C including English and mathematics.
Dr Mary Bousted, general secretary of the Association of Teachers and Lecturers, said that the national curriculum is failing many young people.
She said: "In the current economic climate it is even more important that young people leave school and college with an interest and ability to continue learning through their lives and transferable skills to enable them to be flexible in changing job markets."
Chris Keates, General Secretary of teaching union NASUWT said that publishing league tables is "a meaningless exercise".
She said: "It is regrettable that a government which has made so many improvements in education clings to this unnecessary, divisive and demoralising annual ritual. League tables should be abolished."
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