Pupils are getting basics right

Reporter: Karen Doherty
Date online: 20 October 2008

MORE Oldham pupils are leaving school with the basics in English and maths under their belts.

Provisional figures show the number of pupils gaining the gold standard of five A* to C GCSE grades, including the two subjects, has risen from 40.5 per cent to 42.9 per cent this year.

This is lower than the national average of 47.2 per cent and places Oldham 106th out of 149 local education authorities nationally, a climb of three places.

But Oldham takes 73rd spot for the percentage of pupils gaining five top grades in any subject: 63.6 per cent compared with 59 per cent last year and 64.6 per cent nationally.

At A-level, Oldham is 61st for the average point score per pupil, with an A worth 270 points, a B worth 220 and so on.

Janet Doherty, Oldham’s service director for learning development and localities, said: “I am delighted with this year’s groundbreaking GCSE results.

“It is great news for Oldham that our young people are achieving better results than ever.”

“The increase of 4 per cent on last year’s figures is a massive leap forwards and demonstrates that standards are improving significantly.

“The students and teachers deserve praise for all the hard work that has gone in to these marvellous results.”

The Government said record numbers of 16-year-olds had reached the minimum expected level in English and maths, but admitted there is more to do to accelerate the pace of long-term improvements.