THE number of pupils in Coventry achieving good grades in Maths and English has risen, the council says.
As thousands of teenagers collected their results today (Thursday, August 20), Coventry City Council emphased areas of improvement – while there are still lessons to be learned.
Coventry saw an increase in the number of pupils achieving A*-C grades in English and Maths.
The council – which no longer maintains the majority of the city’s secondary schools which have converted to become academies – said the achievement in Maths was despite “volatility” in the subject nationally.
The city recorded a 1.4 per cent improvement in the number of A*- C grades in Maths and a 7.5% rise in expected rates of progress.
English GCSE results at A*-C grades have also improved in attainment and expected progress, following on from last year’s “significant improvements”, the council said.
It added: “Overall, GCSE results in Coventry have remained stable, reflecting the national picture.”
The number of pupils achieving the highest grades, at A*-A, also increased by 1.4%.
Councillor David Kershaw, Coventry City Council’s cabinet member for education, said: “Congratulations to all of our students, parents, teaching staff and governors, for their hard work, dedication and enthusiasm to deliver such great results.
“I know that these results will enable many of our hardworking young people to take their next steps in further education or vocational training.
“I am extremely pleased to see that many of our city’s schools have improved once again.
“It is also very important to recognise the achievements made in maths this year, and the continued increase in the rate of A*-C grades in English following on from last year’s phenomenal improvements.”
Labour councillor Kershaw has encouraged secondary schools coverting to academy status – pushed by the coalition and Conservative government – to continue to work with the city’s network of a “family of schools” in supporting each other and working together on matters including achievement and selection policies.
The council said the “key trends” for 2015 are:
• % five or more A*-C (including English and maths) :
a 0.1% increase from 52.3% to 52.4% since last year
• % A*-C in English:
a 1.5% increase from 68.2% to 69.6% since last year
• % expected progress in English
a 1.4% increase from 74.0% to 75.4% since last year
• % A*-C in maths:
a 2.4% increase from 61.7% to 64.1% since last year
• % expected progress in maths
a 7.5% increase from 59.0% to 66.5% since last year
• % five or more A*-A (any subject)
a 1.4% increase from 9.0% to 10.4% since last year
