An investigation has been launched to find out why Camden’s pupils this year scored the lowest GCSE results for five years.

Camden Council’s children, schools and families (CSF) scrutiny committee will file a report analysing the performance of secondary schools after the percentage of five “good” GCSEs including English and mathematics dropped from 60.5 per cent last year to 55pc in the 2014/2015 academic year.

It is thought the poor performance may be due to a change in grade boundaries, according to CSF assistant director for raising achievement and aspiration, Pete Dudley. The recent changes to the GCSE curriculum may have also impacted on the performance of pupils, Mr Dudley added.

He told a CSF scrutiny meeting on Tuesday: “We are not saying it is not our fault, but it’s important to be aware that there are a number of different factors involved.”

He added: “It’s important to remember that Camden is still well above the national average in regards to that figure.”

Cllr Oliver Lewis, a member of the scrutiny panel, said of the decision to investigate the results: “It’s really important that we look at these numbers closely and see how the council can best support our schools to ensure all pupils can achieve high grades at GCSE and A-levels.”

Camden’s results were revealed on Thursday after the Department for Education (DfE) released provisional GCSE and A-level data early for the first time. Camden performed worse than the London average of 59.5pc but surpassed the national average of 52.8pc.

The scrutiny panel’s report is due to be published in February.