This in from the council, in their own words. Ed
The GCSE results achieved by 16 year olds on the Isle of Wight have shown an improvement this year.
Provisional results reported by the Island’s secondary schools show an increase of five percentage points in achievement from 2012, with 50 per cent achieving five or more A* – C passes including English and maths compared to 45 per cent in 2012.
National comparisons
Limited national information is available but in 2012, the national average was 58.8 per cent of students achieved the same measure.
English results are close to national figures this year with 61 per cent achieving an A* – C grade against the national average of 64 per cent.
Strong in Mathematics
Mathematics performance on the Island is particularly strong this year with 70 per cent achieving an A* to C grade in comparison with 58 per cent nationally.
Many students also studied for a range of other qualifications including diplomas, BTECs and National Vocational Qualifications.
Around 1,500 pupils on the Island sat exams this summer. The achievement of five or more A* – C grades including mathematics and English is the government target for pupils at the end of Key Stage 4 (aged 16) and achieving this prepares young people for their post-16 education.
New targets
When the official results are published later in the autumn, schools will also be judged against some new targets including the progress children have made in English and mathematics, their performance in their “best eight” subjects.
Changes in education legislation mean that those completing their secondary education this summer will not be ‘school leavers’ anymore but will continue in education or training for at least another year. More than 93 per cent of students on the Isle of Wight have already secured a post-16 place or are set to take up an apprenticeship from September.
Councillor Richard Priest, cabinet member for children’s services for the Isle of Wight Council said:
“All those who sat GCSE and vocational exams this summer should be praised for their efforts. We appreciate the support of parents and the work of the teaching and support staff in helping these students to do well and we will be working closely with all schools over the coming year to help them to continue to improve.
“Closer analysis of these results will enable the council to identify what support schools require and the best way we can assist them with the resources we have.
“We are not complacent about the challenges we are facing in education on the Island and the need to raise the benchmark. We are strongly committed to improvement and working with our strategic partner to implement an action plan.
“With a new administration and the expertise of Hampshire County Council, I am confident we are now in a strong position to turn things around and drive up educational standards to ensure our schools provide high quality teaching and enable our children to achieve their full potential.
“Our current cohort of 16 year olds now has the opportunity to build on their achievements, as they move into further education or training to study for A-Levels or vocational skills and qualifications.
“It is important that young people continue in education or training to obtain the best qualifications and develop the highest standard of skills so that they can shape their own futures and that of the Island. On behalf of the council, I wish them every success.”
Councillor Chris Whitehouse, education spokesman for the Conservative group added:
“What matters most is not our place in the national league tables. Every parent should ask themselves a simple question. Has my child done as well as they hoped? If they have, great, but if not then parents should be speaking with their child’s headteacher to find out why they have underachieved and what can be done to ensure they make greater progress as they move into post-16.
“Councillor Priest and I are working closely together, determined to drive up standards in all the Island schools because we want all our children, wherever they are taught and whatever their abilities, to achieve their full potential. Nothing less is acceptable.”
Support for pupils
The Isle of Wight Council’s participation team offers independent and impartial support to all young people during the exam results period. The team can be found at 29 High Street, Newport, P030 1SS and can be contacted on (01983) 525927.
The team operates a ‘drop-in’ service where no appointment is necessary. The opening times are Monday to Thursday 9.30am to 12.30pm then 1pm to 4.30pm and Friday 9.30am to 12.30pm then 1pm to 4pm.
Anyone seeking advice from the team will be met by a qualified participation adviser in a safe and confidential environment, to discuss the full range of options that are available including further and higher education, as well as training and employment opportunities.
If you have not yet secured a place in education or training, a dedicated adviser can work with you and can then be contacted directly either by phone, email or by visiting the centre. The service can also make referrals to a wide range of training providers, employers and other agencies.
