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JIM KNIGHT PRAISES SCHOOLS FOR PASSING GCSE MILESTONE ON ROAD TO RAISING STANDARDS FOR ALL
18 October 2007
Target of 60% of 15-year-olds getting five A* to Cs reached year early –
Local Authorities in challenging circumstances are among those that have seen the greatest improvements
Schools Minister Jim Knight today welcomed continued improvement in the proportion of pupils gaining five good GCSEs and achieving good grades in English and maths.But he vowed to increase the pace of improvement so all pupils can fulfil their maximum potential – and to continue to narrow the gap between the highest and lowest attainers.Jim Knight, speaking on today’s publication of provisional GCSE results, said:“I want to congratulate students and teachers on their hard work paying off – we should recognise that five good GCSEs is a significant academic achievement. “The long-term trend is one of sustained improvement and we've now passed our initial target of having 60% of 15 year olds getting five A* to Cs a year early. “Whatever the carping from the usual doom mongers, that means 470,000 more young people since 1997 have got a better start in life. Every one of those results is a personal success story.“There’s been significant progress after inheriting a dire legacy – over half of schools had less than three in 10 pupils getting five GCSEs including English and maths ten years ago. We’ve slashed that shocking figure to under a quarter. “I am pleased to see that schools in local authorities with challenging circumstances, such as large numbers of children from disadvantaged backgrounds, are amongst those making the most progress. Local authorities have got a responsibility to help drive up standards by intervening early to address slow or poor performance. I am challenging all LAs to do what the best are doing.
“I’m impatient to go further and faster so every pupil reaches their full potential. “The new target of at least 53% of young people getting five good GCSEs, including English and maths, by 2011 – which requires a doubling of the current rate of improvement - will be another important milestone towards a world-class education system.“The gap is already closing at local authority and school level – and targeted investment and programmes like City Challenge and academies are transforming standards in even the most deprived areas.“But I’m determined that every single pupil reaches their potential. The revamped secondary curriculum and advanced progression policies will stimulate young people and tailor teaching for every pupil.”Today’s figures published in the Statistical First Release: GCSE and Equivalent Results for Young People in England, 2006/07 (Provisional) show: • Target of 60% of 15-year-olds getting five A* to C GCSEs reached a year early: the proportion of 15-year-olds achieving 5 A* to C GCSEs has risen by 1.8 percentage points from 58.5% to 60.3% - up from just 45.1% 10 years ago, meaning 470,000 more young people have achieved this level since 1997.• More pupils are mastering the core skills: the percentage of young people at the end of Key Stage 4 getting five A* to C GCSEs, including English and maths, has risen by 0.7 percentage points from 45.8% to 46.5%; and the proportion of 15-year-olds achieving that level has risen 0.4 percentage points from 45.3% to 45.7% - 380,000 more young people since 1997.• Fewer lower attaining schools: provisional figures indicate that the number of schools with less than 30% of five good GCSEs has been slashed further – from nearly 900 in 1997 to 81 now. The number of schools with less than 30% getting five A* to C, including English and maths, has been slashed from over half to under a quarter. • Excellent improvements in some of the most challenging areas: local authorities in challenging circumstances have made some of the highest gains this year – including Halton rising 8.5 percentage points; Salford 7.7 percentage points and Wakefield 7.5 percentage points.The Department is also publishing the GCE/VCE A/AS and Equivalent Examination Results in England, 2006/07 (Provisional) today.Editor's Notes
This press notice relates to 'England'
1. The Statistical First Release is available at: http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/SFR/s000754/index.shtml 2. It provides the earliest information on the overall achievements of young people in GCSE and equivalent examinations in 2007, and progress against the Department's national learning targets. The publication contains provisional national level analyses by school type, gender and subject and provisional LA level analyses by gender. The information is based on that collated for the 2007 Secondary School Achievement and Attainment Tables. This information is currently being checked by schools and colleges as part of the School Achievement and Attainment Tables exercise.Contact Details
Public Enquiries 0870 000 2288, info@dcsf.gsi.gov.uk
Press Notice 2007/0194
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