All secondary schools in Wakefield have once again met the government’s target for GCSE grades according to the latest league tables.
The figures released yesterday show that all 23 of the district’s state and private schools bettered the government benchmark of 40 per cent of pupils achieving 5 or more A* to C grades at GCSE or equivalent.
More pupils than ever also achieved 5 or more top grades including English and maths with the local authority average rising from 57.4 last year to 59.3 this year.
Horbury Academy was among the table toppers with 75 per cent of its pupils gaining 5 or more A* to C grades including English and maths in last summer’s exams, which was up from 53 per cent in the previous year. It also did well against the target for the number of pupils achieving the English Baccalaureate qualification, which requires A* to C passes in a set of subjects, including English, maths, two sciences, a modern language and humanities.
Headteacher Miriam Oakley said: “It is down to the hard work of the staff and students who work tirelessly to make sure everyone leaves here with good grades.”
Mrs Oakley said the schools’ success was also due to collaboration with other schools like the Wakefield City, Crofton and Ossett Academies.
Celebrations were also in order at Kettlethorpe High School, w here 32 per cent of pupils achieved the English Baccalaureate, qualification - the best state school score in the district. All of its students also got five or more good GCSE or equivalent grades.
Headteacher Tudor Griffiths said: “We are thrilled to bits. Pupils work really hard and staff support them, together with their families. It’s about high expectations, aspirations and good quality education.”
Mr Griffiths praised the work going on in other schools too. He said: “There is no doubt about it, schools in Wakefield have a good curriculum offer. They have got their fingers on the pulse and are working smart and hard to make sure children get the grades they need when they leave.”
Pupils and staff at Ossett Academy and Outwood Grange Academy were jumping for joy after more than 80 per cent of their pupils got five or more good grades including English and maths.
Coun Olivia Rowley, Wakefield Council’s cabinet member for children and young people said the league tables showed the district’s best ever results. She said: “These results are testament to the hard work and commitment both of students and teachers and show that here in the Wakefield district we are giving young people a strong springboard for the future.”
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