Councillor praises

August 25, 2016 by Southend Borough Council

Councillor praises "impressive" set of GCSE results

Friday 26th August 2016

Cllr James Courtenay, the Executive Councillor for Children & Learning at Southend-on-Sea Borough Council, has today praised GCSE students across the Borough for an impressive set of GCSE results. Due to the changes in examination qualifications, direct comparison from last year is not possible.

Although the results are still to be validated, this year in Southend 69% of students achieved A*- C in English and Maths. This is an increase of 3% compared to last year’s figure of 66%.

In English there was an increase of 6% on last year with 79% of students attaining A* - C. Nationally 60% of pupils achieved A*-C in English. Maths has seen an increase of 1% compared to last year with 75% of students achieving A*-C. National figures show 61%^ of pupils achieved A*-C in Maths.

Cllr Courtenay said: “I am delighted that the hard work and commitment of students, teachers and their families has been recognised. They should be rightly proud of their achievements. This set of results continues to show that schools in Southend are improving faster than the national figures.

“It is particularly pleasing to see the continued improvements in English and Mathematics, which are so important for work, training or further education.

“It is important now to celebrate these achievements. The students have worked hard, but equally I know that schools will be considering these results, and starting to build on them for next year.

“The plans that Southend-on-Sea Borough Council has put in place for an Education Board will go some way to offering schools the support, and the challenge they need to achieve this aspiration.

“But for now, celebrate your achievements and enjoy the remains of the summer break.”