Meeting the education challenge

CHILDREN’S Minister Beverley Hughes has written to four Oldham schools to congratulate them on their GCSE results.

She has praised Blue Coat, Failsworth, Royton and Crompton, and Saddleworth for being among the most improved secondaries in Greater Manchester.

Their results have contributed to an increase in the percentage of pupils in the area getting at least five A* to C grades, including English and maths.

The number of teenagers achieving the gold standard jumped from 37 per cent in 2007 to 59 per cent last year at Royton and Crompton, and from 29 per cent to 42 per cent at Failsworth.

Saddleworth’s results rose 8 percentage points to 59 per cent, and Blue Coat’s six percentage points to 81 per cent.

Oldham is part of the £50 million Greater Manchester Challenge led by Ms Hughes to raise pupils’ achievements and aspirations. Ministers say that the improvement in results has outstripped the national average.

Ms Hughes added: “I am delighted with Blue Coat, Failsworth, Royton and Crompton and Saddleworth schools which show that standards are rising in Oldham, contributing to overall improvements in Greater Manchester.

“These improvements are due to the hard work of the young people themselves, the dedication of their teachers and the support of their parents.

“The support and investment provided through the Greater Manchester Challenge will help accelerate and ensure that this progress is sustained in the long term.”

Other improved schools include Kaskenmoor (Oldham’s biggest improver), where results have jumped from 17 per cent to 30 per cent; Breeze Hill, 17 per cent to 27 per cent; Grange, 20 per cent to 28 per cent; North Chadderton, 48 per cent to 50 per cent; and South Chadderton ,29 per cent to 31 per cent.

A Department for Children, Schools and Families spokeswoman explained that not all improved schools received a letter, but some were selected because of their particularly outstanding results.