Image demonstrating GCSE students celebrate in Northumberland

GCSE students celebrate in Northumberland

Pupils across Northumberland have been celebrating today as they receive their GCSE results, with the percentage of students in the county achieving grade 4 or higher over the last three years significantly increasing.

Early results in Northumberland also show that students average achievement across eight subjects (Attainment 8), has remained stable, with 10 schools either improving or broadly maintaining their position from last year.

There were reasons to celebrate at The Blyth Academy, where achievement at 5+ in both English and maths improved by 17%.  Ashington Academy, Astley Community High School, Cramlington Learning Village and James Calvert Spence College also saw an increase in the number of pupils achieving strong passes.

Cllr Wayne Daley, deputy leader and cabinet member for children’s services at Northumberland County Council said:  “This is a very pleasing set of GCSE results across the county - and I want to congratulate and thank all students and parents, schools and teachers for their hard work and determination.

“Following very good A Level results last week, and the achievements we are seeing today, we can say that education across the Northumberland has strong foundations.  We will continue to build on this and work with schools across Northumberland to make sure that all schools offer first class education for all.”

Cllr Daley and Cath McEvoy-Carr, executive director of children’s services at the council, visited Haydon Bridge High School this morning, where students were delighted with the results they achieved after what has been a difficult few years for the school.  

The proportion of pupils reaching the expected pass in English improved by 5% and the proportion reaching the expected pass in maths rose by 10%.  Overall the English and maths combined pass rated improved by nearly 7%.  

In vocational subjects - 100% of animal care, drama and health and social care students achieved pass or above and nearly three-quarters of early years programme pupils achieved a grade A or better.

Headteacher Darren Glover said:  “I’m really pleased with our students' results, and it’s lovely to see so many smiling faces today.  I would like to sincerely thank all staff, students and parents and families for their hard work and support.

“We believe that our school has a very inclusive environment and this year pupils with special educational needs performed particularly well.


“Many pupils are now choosing to come back to join the school sixth form, where this year's A level results were also equally impressive.  

“Following a challenging time for this school this year has seen positive news, when we received some fantastic feedback in the report of our most recent Ofsted monitoring visit.”

Effective leadership, the quality of teaching and pupils attitudes were all highlighted by inspectors as areas where the schools is showing great improvement. 

Work is underway on a £4.5million investment by the council in improving the school at Haydon Bridge. This will see a new main entrance; a vocational centre; improvements to the main hall, library, sports hall changing and performing arts and learning hub areas; as well as relocation of the sixth form.

Dean Jackson, director of education and skills at the council visited Berwick Academy this morning to see students opening their GCSE results there.  He said: “Results have stabilised at the Academy, and there are some encouraging signs of recovery.  Students should be congratulated on their GCSE results today. A number of the students that I spoke to had overcome significant challenges in order to achieve the results that they wanted..

“There is still work to do, and it is no secret that the school has been through some turbulent times, but these signs of improvement are a result of the hard work and dedication of the whole school community, including the young people.”

Head teacher Tracy Hush said:  “Results day is always an emotional day, with highs and lows for everyone.  

“We have spent the day supporting and celebrating with our students and we are pleased with the encouraging signs these results give us.  

“Attainment is up overall; English and science have improved and maths is very close to the national average.  We’ve seen improvements in 4+ grades for a number of subjects including a number of EBACC subjects.  

“We have a students who have achieved some of the highest grades in the country; attaining a number of grades 8 and 9.  

“We are so proud of all our students and we wish them the very best in their next steps.”
 
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