STAFFORDSHIRE’S teenagers bucked national trends recording a rise in GCSE results in the county for the fifth year in a row.
While the number of students across the UK getting good grades dropped for the first time in nearly 10 years, young people in Staffordshire’s results improved again.
County Councillor Ian Parry, Cabinet Member for Finance, Education and Skills, said the news was testament to rising standards and the transformation of education across the county.
“It’s testament to the good work going on in schools across Staffordshire that we have yet again seen a rise in our GCSE results,” said Councillor Parry. “Education is being transformed in Staffordshire, and we are improving standards and raising attainment to ensure that all of our young people are given the opportunity to fulfil their potential.”
This year, 58.4 per cent of GCSE students gained 5 or more A* to C grades including English and Maths, showing a 1.9 per cent increase on the previous year.
Those gaining 5 or more A* to C grades regardless of subject increased by 4.5 per cent putting them at over 83 per cent compared to 81 per cent nationally, the first time Staffordshire results have exceeded the national average since 2005.
Councillor Parry said: “The fact that we have managed to fly in the face of national statistics and once again improve our results is all part of our continued efforts to increase the standard of education in the county.
“We want to give all of our young people the best possible start, and this means giving them an education that will set them up well for the future, whether they want to further their education, take up an apprenticeship or find employment.”
