News / Education
Bristol GCSE results on the rise
After years of disappointment and below par results, GCSE grades in Bristol have risen above the national average for the first time.
According to statistics released by the Department for Education nearly 55% of Bristol students reached the government target for 5 or more GCSEs A-C grade, including maths and English. The national average was 52.6%.
- Of 3172 Key Stage 4 pupils in Bristol 94.1% took their GCSEs this year.
- 62% achieved 5 or more A-C grades
- 54.8% achieved 5 or more A-C grades including English and Maths
Milestone
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Year-on-year Bristol’s GCSE results have steadily risen and Paul Jacobs, Bristol City Council’s Director for Education and Skills said is is testament to a strong partnership “between the council and our schools” and the work they have done to ensure each child in the city “can access an outstanding education and achieve their full potential.”
Sarah Baker, Headteacher at Redland Green School and Chair of the Bristol Association of Headteachers and Principals, said pupils had achieved “excellent Key Stage 4 results,” and she praised the “hard work of the students, teachers and school leaders at all Bristol secondary schools and academies.”
Councillor Brenda Massey, Bristol City Council’s Assistant Mayor for Education, described the results as a “milestone” and added that the council was “committed to improving the life chances for all young people in Bristol”.
Statistical changes
Nationally some 52.6% of pupils in England reached the government’s new five A*-C benchmark, official statistics show.
Major reforms to the way the statistics are calculated have made it hard to compare results year on year claim officials.
Changes include cutting thousands of vocational qualifications from school performance measures and the decision that only a student’s first attempt at a GCSE will count in the league tables.
Photo credit: Shutterstock
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