GCSE success in the Black Country

Schools in the Black Country have been praised after achieving their best ever GCSE results.

Figures released today this month (Jan) from the Department for Children, Schools and Families show pupils across the Black Country are improving their results at a faster rate than the national average.

The percentage of pupils in the area gaining five or more good grades at GCSE, including English and Maths, in 2009 is now at 43.6 per cent, up from 39.9 per cent on the previous year.

GCSE figures show 48.8 per cent of pupils in Dudley achieved five or more good GCSE passes including English and maths in 2009, an increase of 1.9 ppts. In Sandwell 37.5 per cent achieved this level, up 6.0 ppts on the previous year. 44.0 per cent of Walsall and 43.44 per cent Wolverhampton pupils achieved five good GCSEs, up 3.4 ppts and 3.6 ppts respectively.

The improved grades are being hailed as a success for the Black Country Challenge, an initiative that aims to boost the education in the area, working in partnership with schools, local authorities and national government to raise aspirations and attainment.

From 2008 to March 2011, the Department for Children, Schools and Families is investing £28 million in the area to provide tailor-made support for schools working in challenging circumstances, additional support for children who are falling behind their peers and enhanced development and training for school leaders, teachers and other staff working in schools.

It is expected this will support schools to raise aspirations and achievement for all pupils by creating more good and outstanding schools and narrow the attainment gap for vulnerable groups of young people.

Sir Geoff Hampton, Chief Adviser for the Black Country Challenge, said:

“These results are a fantastic achievement for schools right across the area.

“There is a common perception that an urban area means low educational achievement but the Challenge is determined to show this is not the case. There is no overnight fix, with schools, parents and local authorities all needing to work together to improve results.

“However, today’s figures show we are moving in the right direction and it’s important that this work continues to ensure every child has the same opportunities no matter where they go to school, and are able to use their GCSE results as a springboard for further academic achievement.”

Steve Venross, headteacher at Bristnall Hall Technology College, the most improved school in the Black Country, said:

“These are our best results ever and we’re absolutely delighted. Everyone at the school has worked extremely hard to achieve this success.

“We have put a number of measures in place to improve our examination results in recent years and seen gradual improvement. The challenge now is to use these results as a benchmark and build on this success, ensuring the school continue to rise up the league tables.”

Schools Minister Diana Johnson said:

“I am really encouraged by today's results. The rate of improvement of pupils getting five good GCSEs including maths and English is outstripping the national average. I would like to congratulate the hard work of pupils, teachers and parents across the Black Country and celebrate some outstanding individual school performances including Bristnall Hall Technology College in Sandwell, Moseley Park School in Wolverhampton, Willenhall School in Walsall and Pedmore Technology College in Dudley.

“I hope this progress will inspire everyone to maintain this momentum in the second year of the Black Country Challenge.”

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