Local Secondary Schools Performing Above National Average

January 20, 2017 by Southend Borough Council

New figures show that secondary schools in Southend-on-Sea performed above the national average under the Government’s new GCSE measures.

Revised data released by the Department for Education, alongside the secondary school performance tables, shows the Attainment 8 score for Southend (average grade across set of eight subjects) is 53.5 – above the national average for state-funded schools of 50.1. As a result, Southend-on-Sea is ranked 14th of all 151 local authorities.

‘Attainment 8’ scores are based on all of their pupils' results across eight subjects. These are maths and English, the best of up to three further qualifications which count in the English Baccalaureate and the three best results of any GCSE qualification or non-GCSE qualifications on a DfE approved list of subjects

The Government’s new measures aim to focus more on pupil progress rather than just exam results and the new Progress 8 score (average of all students' progress across eight subjects between Key Stage 2 and Key Stage 4) is also slightly above the national average.

69 per cent of pupils in Southend-on-Sea achieved a grade C or higher in both English and maths - above the national average of 63.3 per cent, putting the Borough in the top 25 per cent of local authorities nationally.

As well as the publication of revised Key Stage 4 results, the Department for Education also released revised A-Level results yesterday.

18.9 per cent of students in state-funded schools in Southend-on-Sea attained three or more grades at AAB or better at A level which included two or more in facilitating subjects (subjects most commonly required at A-level) – also above the national average of 15.6 per cent.

Due to changes in measures, direct comparisons with previous years are not possible.

James Courtenay, Executive Councillor for Children and Learning, said: “These overall results are very encouraging and I congratulate the schools and pupils for achieving so well in comparison to the national results, placing us firmly in the top 25% or better of other Local Authorities and 14th in the country.

“I am very pleased that the initiatives that the Council has put in place to work alongside schools in true partnership, added to their great efforts means that we will continue to ensure we sustain and improve on this position. However, at the same time we recognise that there are areas where the Borough did not perform so well. Where this is the case, we will continue to work hard to improve progress and attainment.

“We want all of our students to aim higher and give our students the best possible foundations for their journey into adulthood. Parents can rest assured that this is a challenge we are determined to continue tackling head on.”

For more information about this media release please call 01702 215939 or e-mail: adamkeating@southend.gov.uk