PUPILS ACROSS Oldham maintained high standards in this year’s GSCE and A Level exams.
Early indications suggest the majority of all local schools improved or maintained their GCSE results in gaining five grade A* to C passes – despite a national sharp drop in English.
Across the borough as a whole, 56.5 per cent of students achieved at least five of these grades.
This is a slight decrease of 0.4 per cent on last year’s record GCSE results – but it should rise when the Department for Education will confirm adjusted figures this Autumn.
Councillor Amanda Chadderton, Cabinet Member for Education and Safeguarding, said: “I’d like to send my congratulations to all those who have received their GCSE results.
“We were warned of “turbulent and volatile” results following an overhaul of the exam system.
“There were also tougher exam requirements introduced in English and Geography, as well as the government removing the option of sitting modular exams at different points across the two years.
“So to have sustained last year’s record results overall is an enormous credit to the hard work from teachers, staff and pupils.”
Cllr Chadderton added: “Oldham Council is committed to working in partnership with all schools and academies to ensure the very best for all young people in the borough.
“Over the coming year the Oldham Education and Skills Commission, chaired by Baroness Estelle Morris, will be looking at ways in which our schools can achieve even better local standards and aspirations.”
Meanwhile, Oldham students beat the national average with their A Level results as the provisional overall pass rate from A-E was 98.4 per cent.
This is 0.4 per cent higher than the national average and included a bigger increase in the number of Oldham students achieving A* grades from last year.
Oldham Council will help school and college leavers into employment through the Get Oldham Working campaign.
Cllr Chadderton said: “Oldham’s overall pass rate has slightly dropped by 0.2 per cent – but this was a much lower reduction than the national trend, which showed a one per cent fall.
“These qualifications will help to open many doors for our young people and we hope the support we are offering through our Get Oldham Working team will complement that success.
Find out more about Get Oldham Working online here or send an email to employability@oldham.gov.uk or call 0161 770 4674.
Watch a short video and discover more about Oldham Education and Skills Commission online here.
