All schools in Leicester city pass GCSE target
Every school in Leicester is above the Government's target for GCSE results for the first time.
Ministers increased the target this year so that schools had to get at least 35 per cent of pupils through the exams with five or more at A* to C grades, including English and maths.
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New College students with their GCSE results
All of Leicester's schools exceeded the raised benchmark. Schools in the county, meanwhile, achieved record results.
One of the big successes was at New College, in New Parks, Leicester, where results improved from 28 per cent last year to 44 per cent.
Head teacher Jane Brown, who has been in the post for six years, said: "Staff have worked hard to make this happen. Seeing the children's faces and knowing they're leaving with great opportunities ahead is fantastic."
Pupil Kieran Keating, 16, of New Parks, achieved As and A*s in nine of his 16 subjects and hopes to go to medical school.
"It's got better here," he said. "We've had new teachers and things have changed."
Reece Edge, 16, of Saffron Lane, achieved several Bs and Cs.
He said: "When I started here it was chaotic. Mrs Brown is a miracle worker."
Overall, 52 per cent of Leicester's GCSE students achieved five or more A* to C grades including English and maths, compared with 49 per cent last year.
Councillor Vi Dempster, city council education spokeswoman, said: "The young people of Leicester have once again made the city proud and achieved the best GCSE results we have ever seen. A number of schools have seen stunning results and the city as a whole has smashed its target."
At Babington Community College, in Beaumont Leys, 39 per cent of pupils got the benchmark grades, compared with 35 per cent last year and 24 per cent in 2009.
Head Denise Newsome said: "It's about better teaching and personalising everything we do – getting to know our children inside and out."
Pupil Jessica Lambert, 16, of Beaumont Leys, got an A* in science and As in sociology and English literature, and plans to continue with those subjects at A-Level.
She said she was pleased with the way the school was changing. "People work harder and are better behaved," she said.
The only school that did not reach the target was Riverside College, Rowley Fields, where 25 per cent of pupils got the required grades including English and maths. It closed this summer.
GCSE results for 2011: Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutlandhere
GCSE results picture gallery here
Guthlaxton gallery here
Countesthorpe gallery here
Catmose College here
Belvoir High gallery here
7 Comments
by offord702
Saturday, August 27 2011, 7:13PM
“Thank you very much sullenart. Your explanation is really helpful. When the media publish results each year it would be a good idea to let the readers know exactly how the process works.”
by sullenart
Saturday, August 27 2011, 4:30PM
“Perhaps I can clarify things a little. Coursework for GCSE only accounts for approx. 40% of most subjects. The rest of the marks are gained by sitting externally-marked exams. Coursework is marked by the class teacher, but schools have rigorous internal standardising procedures to check that everyone is marking correctly. Teachers have regular trial marking sessions, where they are required to mark sample coursework and then compare their marks with those awarded by the exam board. In addition, a percentage sample of coursework is requested every year by the exam board, whose moderators also check the teachers' marking. Coursework is therefore checked very carefully and marks are not awarded according to one teacher's subjective view.”
by offord702
Saturday, August 27 2011, 3:22PM
“Last comment on this subject.
Read your Mercury and you will see that there are others who have done 16 subjects.
I accept that there are some very bright and hardworking pupils who deserve to get good results.
My point about the course work is who marks it? Is it the same person who marks the exam? Schools are now under tremendous pressure to attain a percentage pass rate. I also agree that some pupils find it easier taking exams than others.
What is not clear is why the success rate goes up year after year. It will be interesting to see what happens next year, but I doubt it will be any different to this year.”
by martin_le3
Saturday, August 27 2011, 11:33AM
“"I think you will find other pupils have done 16 subjects" - that is pure speculation. The story mentioned one person Keiron Keating with 16 GCSEs because he is an exception. I say good luck to him, I'm sure he deserves everything he got.
There might be a general discussion to be had about the value of course work v exam passes - I remember from school several very bright people that got very bad exam nerves, so exam marks didnt reflect their ability at all.”
by offord702
Saturday, August 27 2011, 10:10AM
“In response to martin_le3 I think you will find other pupils have done 16 subjects. I was not trying to do the lad down but was just interested to find out what subjects are gaining such high results.I would still like to see a list published off subjects taken by all candidates.
If the course work is marked at school and taken into account then it is not quite like sitting an exam and having the result taken just from the exam.
I appreciate times have changed but are these results going to help in the long run. Other things come into play when you are trying to get a job.”
by martin_le3
Saturday, August 27 2011, 9:12AM
“@offord702 - only one pupil Keiron Keating did 16 subjects, and he got A's in nine of them. If think he is obviously an exceptionally bright student, it seems a bit mean spirited to try and besmirch his achievement by alluding to how course-work might have been marked. If lots of pupils had done the same, then you might have a point, but not when its just one.
I certainly remember the brightest at my school doing up to 14 'O' levels, some doing 'O' levels a two years early, doing 'A' levels at 16 years old etc. Although, having said that, we didnt have 'O' level Sociology or General Science.”
by offord702
Friday, August 26 2011, 8:18PM
“It would be really helpful if the Leicester Mercury could give further details on all the subjects for which pupils have gained 16 passes and whether or not course work at school is now included in the final mark.
If the coursework is included is it marked by the same organisation who marks the exams or the teachers at the school?
When I was at school I cannot recall anybody taking as many as 16 subjects , but it was a long time ago and I know things have changed.”