Classroom standards improve in Medway schools
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by Dan Bloom
Medway's GCSE results improved for the seventh year running in
official figures released today - but one school was the
third-worst in England.
More than half the Towns' 16-year-olds (56%) achieved the
government benchmark of five A* to C grades including English and
maths, up from 54% last year.
A-level scores stayed high, but dipped slightly for the first
time in five years.
Yet the Bishop of Rochester Academy, Chatham, had just 16% of
pupils attaining the GCSE benchmark. Only Oak Farm Community School
in Surrey (9%) and St Aldhelm’s Academy in Dorset (3%) had worse
rates.
More than 700 other schools in England had worse results,
but they were all special or private schools, where students are
not required to sit GCSEs.
Bishop of Rochester head teacher Christopher Sweetman quit in
May after a string of problems in the academy's first year.
Kent's secondary school results
Just 16% of pupils achieved the GCSE benchmark - the
recommended minimum is 35% - despite better rates the year
before at Medway Community College (25%) and Chatham South (26%),
which merged to form the academy.
Medway's worst-performing schools have much higher numbers of
poor pupils. More than a fifth at the Bishop of Rochester Academy
have free school meals, or are in care.
An academy spokesman said the results were “disappointing” but
leadership changes, including new vice-principal Kuljit Rahelu and
governing body chairman Brigita Amey, would give “clearer lines of
responsibility and accountability”
The spokesman added: "The senior leadership team has been
strengthened. After-school and Saturday classes and an accelerated
literacy programme have been introduced. Early maths GCSE results
indicate over 31% of pupils are at the required standard."
Mr Boxall
added: “I am confident these decisive steps in terms of both
staffing and interventions will work alongside the ongoing efforts
of staff to bring about the necessary changes needed to raise
attainment.”
Elsewhere, Medway's grammar and private schools topped both
tables. Chatham's Fort Pitt Grammar led the way with 100% of
pupils achieving the GCSE benchmark.
Executive principal Julia Bell said: "I am thrilled. I would
like to pay tribute to the quality of teaching, learning and
teamwork throughout the school and the collaboration with
parents."
Gillingham's Robert Napier School and Brompton Academy were
second- and third-worst, after both fell behind their own GCSE
results from 2010.
However the Hundred of Hoo Comprehensive, whose head
teacher Kevin Mahon was suspended over "management issues" last
year, improved and passed the government benchmark for the first
time.
Despite improving overall, the Towns' results were below the
national average of 59% of pupils gaining five A* to C grades
including English and maths, and an A-level score of 746.
Cabinet member for children's services Cllr Les Wicks (Con)
said: "We have a strong record of improvement here in Medway and
I'm confident that this trend will continue."
Full tables with detailed
results for every school in tomorrow's Medway
Messenger.
The secondary
school league tables - what's new?
The tables continue to show the number
of pupils achieving five or more GCSEs at grades A* to C including
maths and English as the main benchmark.
However, this year the tables also
include a new indicator known as English Baccalaureate to measure
performance.
This shows the number of pupils
achieving five or more GCSEs at grades A*to C in core subjects.
These are English, maths, one science, one foreign language and one
humanity subject.
The tables also carry more detail
about how well disadvantaged pupils are performing compared to
others.
This is measured by looking at GCSE
passes of those on free school meals or in care and comparing them
with those who are not disadvantaged.
The value added measure in the tables
is calculated by comparing each pupil’s best eight GCSEs and taking
into account their different starting points and progress since
arriving from primary school.
A score of 1,000 is the average so
everything above that is regarded as adding value.
Thursday, January 26 2012
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