August 27, 2008
MP PRAISES PUPILS ON GCSE RESULTS
Wentworth MP John Healey has congratulated teachers and pupils after Rotherham’s GCSE results rose above the national average.
He said: “This is a fantastic achievement which shows that the massive increase in government investment is paying off, but largely it is a tribute to the huge effort put in by teachers, pupils and staff.
“Rawmarsh school’s 5 A*-C passes shot up by 15 per cent while St Pius improved by 10 per cent; Wickersley’s rate of 5 A*-C passes including English and maths was the best in Rotherham at 62 per cent; and Wath achieved its best ever results with nearly three quarters of pupils getting five or more GCSEs at A*-C.”
67.8 per cent of pupils for 5 A*-C grades, up nearly 10 per cent on last year. This is up from 53 per cent in 2006 and just 37 per cent in 1997.
Spending per pupil has increased from less than £3,000 in 1997/98 to £6,130 in 2009/10 and there are 40,000 more teachers and 120,000 more teaching assistants.
The government’s September guarantee means that 16 and 17 year olds will be guaranteed a suitable place in learning at school, college, in training or an apprenticeship this September.