Parkside fourth best improved school in country as league tables announced
PUPILS at three Wear Valley secondary schools are among the most improved scholars in the country according to the Government.
This week the Government published fresh figures about how secondary schools fared during last summer’s GCSEs.
The figures also include scores for value added which charts a pupil’s progress from their first year at secondary school to their last.
Parkside Sports College in Willington is now fourth out of more than 4,000 schools nationally.
Headteacher Linda Davies said that meant her last group of GCSE students had achieved exceptionally more at the end of their Parkside career than was expected when they started.
She said: “There are only three schools in the country that have seen bigger improvements in their pupils over their five years at the school than us. That’s incredible and I’m hoping we can improve every year.
“The reason for this radical improvement is the same for why 100 per cent of our pupils got at least five A* to C GCSEs last summer, namely the way the pupils, staff, parents and governors all work together.
“Every child has their own individual targets and support, the school is not so big that children are lost and we all know who everybody is.
“This just shows what young people can achieve if they are given the right support, all pupils can be successful.”
Meanwhile in Bishop Auckland, Kings James I Community Arts College was ranked 26th in the country while Bishop Barrington School was placed 32nd.
At the latter, 85 per cent of students achieved at least five A*-C passes while 37 per cent of students gained at least three A*-A grades.
Acting headteacher Jackie Gent said the results were a stunning achievement but the value added score is even more impressive. She said: “Our value added is a real indicator of how pupils have achieved.
“It is based solidly over time, and fully recognises consistent, dedicated, high quality teaching and learning.
“While we share the joy of students’ superb success rate in GCSE’s every year, it is crucial that the school continues to invest heavily in a high calibre teaching approach from Year 7.
“This, effectively, delivers excellent results in our Year 11 students GCSE results.”
Although no table ranking local authorities for value added has been published, Durham County Council believes it would be in the top three after half of its 36 schools made the top 10 per cent. David Ford, head of achievement services at Durham County Council, said:
“These improvements in GCSE performance reflect the continuing focus that schools and the council have had over the last seven years on improving these important results for young people.”
Claire Vasey, cabinet member for children and young people’s services said: “I am absolutely delighted with these results, which show that pupils, schools and the county council are successfully and relentlessly driving up standards in educational attainment.
“I am very proud of their achievements and delighted that more and more young people in County Durham are getting the qualifications they need to realise their ambitions.”