27/09/2011 - Permalink

Excellent results for Shropshire schools

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Provisional figures show that 2011 has been an excellent year for Shropshire pupils in both primary and secondary schools. 

The initial results provided by schools for achievement at key stage two (national curriculum tests taken by 11-year-olds) and key stage four (GCSE) highlight ongoing improvements in the achievements of students. 

The county’s key stage two results for the percentage of children attaining the national target of level four or above in 2011 are: 

  • English and maths combined – 76 per cent – a two per cent improvement on 2010 and above the national figure of 74 per cent
  • English – 83 per cent – a two per cent improvement on 2010 and above the national average of 81 per cent
  • Writing – 78 per cent – a seven per cent improvement on 2010, placing it three per cent above the national figure
  • Maths – 82 per cent – a three per cent improvement on 2010, placing Shropshire two per cent above the national average
  • Reading – maintained 2010 level at 85 per cent which is one per cent above the national average.

When compared with the other 151 councils in England, Shropshire has improved on every indicator since 2010:

  • English and maths combined – moved from 68th to 48th
  • English – up from 57th to 39th
  • Writing – up from 72nd to 22nd
  • Maths – up from 86th to 38th
  • Reading – up from 46th to 44th 

In comparison with the other 13 councils in the West Midlands, Shropshire is second on all level four indicators.  Against 11 statistical neighbours (other counties judged to have a similar context), Shropshire again ranks second or third, improving from 2010 on all level four measures. 

Key stage two results for the percentage of children attaining the higher level (level five) has not seen the same rate of overall improvement, but Shropshire remains at or above the national average on all level five measures and ranks second or third on most of the measures in comparison with statistical neighbours.   

At GCSE level: 

  • Overall 77 per cent of students achieved five or more A* to C grades in 2011, compared to 73 per cent in 2010
  • A total of 60 per cent of students gained five or more A* to C passes including English and maths, compared to 58 per cent in 2010
  • Students’ average points score rose from 441 in 2010 to 463 in 2011 

National, regional and statistical neighbour GCSE figures are not available at this stage for comparison. 

Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for schools, Councillor Aggie Caesar-Homden, said:

“While yet to be validated, these figures show that this year has been another strong year for Shropshire schools. 

“We appreciate how much effort and hard work pupils have put in to gain their results and they can be extremely proud of their achievements. 

“We would also like to thank all members of our school communities who support our pupils in achieving these results.  This includes parents and carers, and of course teachers and headteachers, support staff, governors, and volunteers. 

“These results emphasise the clear commitment throughout Shropshire schools to raising standards.  We want to see the rate of improvement maintained and improved further and this is why we have worked alongside schools and their communities for more than a year to look at the future of education across the county.  We are dedicated to ensuring that for years to come Shropshire’s children can benefit from these high standards of education.”