Herefordshire celebrates the best ever GCSE results

Herefordshire's high schools have maintained their reputation for high standards as once again, GCSE results achieved by students in Herefordshire schools have reached new highs.

Herefordshire Council congratulates all schools, their staff and the young people who worked so hard to gain these outstanding results.

Many schools improved on their record results of a year ago, particularly in the relatively new benchmark measure of five or more GCSEs at grade A* to C including English and mathematics.

A particularly high standard in this measure was achieved by Fairfield High School (71 percent), John Masefield High School (64 percent), St Mary's RC High School (72 percent), Wigmore High School (66 percent), Bishop of Hereford's Bluecoat school (60 percent) and John Kyrle High School and Sixth Form Centre (59 percent). These results are significantly higher than the national average and reflect significant improvements.  In particular, Fairfield High School raised performance by 11 percent, Whitecross High School in Hereford improved by nine percent, Earl Mortimer College and Sixth Form centre (formerly the Minster College in Leominster) raised performance by 14 percent and the Hereford Academy which improved by 16 percent.

All high schools in Herefordshire performed either at or above the previous national average for students achieving five or more GCSE grades at A*-C, and some of our schools made significant increases on last year's record high results.  Top performers in this measure were Fairfeld High School (92 percent), Wigmore High School (95 percent), St Mary's RC High School (87 percent) and Queen Elizabeth High School (98 percent). 

The most improved school on this measure was Queen Elizabeth High School up by 47 percent, followed by Earl Mortimer College and Sixth Form Centre (21 percent improvement), Kingstone High School (17 percent improvement), Aylestone Business and Enterprise College (12 percent improvement) and Whitecross High School and Specialist Sports College (10 percent improvement).

Councillor Philip Price, cabinet member for ICT, education and achievement, said: "Well done to all our hard working pupils and their teachers for once again rising to the challenge and improving on last year's high results.

"We understand it isn't easy for schools at the moment with funding remaining low and more pressure than ever before to make sure pupils achieve their full potential.  However, once again, this year they have produced results that we can all be proud of. 

"We want every individual pupil in Herefordshire to have the best possible start in life, and these very good GCSE results will stand them in good stead, helping them access further education and plan for their future careers."

Interim director of children's services, David Sanders, said: "Delightful to see the current increase in success of our pupils at GCSE.  This will give them a better opportunity to access post-16 education, training courses and employment.  We wish all of our GCSE pupils every success in the future."