Preliminary GCSE and A level results both show an improvement

Over the last couple of weeks we have received the indicative results for this year's A level and GCSE examinations for Suffolk students.Although the basis on which the results are scored by Government have been changed, it seems that measures taken by the County Council to raise standards continue to bear fruit.

This pleases me, not least because when I stood for election over three years ago I said that I wanted to try to have an impact in this area.  Recently I have been lucky to be able to get closer to the issues involved by sitting on the Schools Improvement Board.  One of the measures put in place around the Raising the Bar initiative,  this group meets on a monthly basis. The progress of all schools in the county is closely examined and monitored, and, where necessary, support and help is given.,  As a member of this Board I have been able to visit schools in the county with a schools improvement officer which has been very interesting. 

In addition to the enormously hard work put in by headteachers, a lot of effort is being expended by the Cabinet Member, Gordon Jones, ordinary members and officers at SCC. Although it was never going to be a speedy process, there are now clear signs that gradual but steady progress is being seen.  

Looking at this year's results, as far as GCSE’s are concerned, more of Suffolk’s 16 year olds achieved expected levels of GCSE attainment in English and maths. Provisional results collated in Suffolk suggest a 4% rise in the number of students reaching the threshold
(currently a C grade or above). Self-reported statistics from Suffolk schools show 63% have achieved the target compared with 59% in 2015.

The results also saw a significant improvement for disadvantaged pupils – these are children looked after and pupils eligible for free school meals.

The overall pass rate for A levels has also continued to rise.  Almost 3000 pupils were entered in Suffolk.  Although yet to be verified the figures show that 98.5% of pupils achieved A* to E, in comparison with 98% in 2015. Although 76% of pupils achieved A* to C in comparison with 77% in 2015, early indications show that our academic average points per entry at 32,9 is above the national figure and an improvement on last year, although direct comparisons are difficult due to a change in the Government's score system.