Warwickshire celebrates GCSE results
Many Warwickshire pupils will be celebrating today as they receive the results of their GCSEs and vocational examinations.
Full county data is not available until later in the year but early indications are that Warwickshire headteachers are anticipating improved results again this year with expected results above the national average.
Warwickshire County Council has been working closely with schools which continue to improve standards with a focus on the number of pupils achieving five or more higher grade GCSE passes including English and mathematics.
Cllr Izzi Seccombe, Warwickshire County Council, Portfolio Holder for Children Young People and Families, said: “This is such an important and exciting time for those opening their GCSE result envelopes.
“May I congratulate all students on their achievements and wish them luck for the future, whether they decide to stay in education or pursue training or employment opportunities.
“The long hours of hard work and dedication of all the teaching staff, plus the support of parents, that contributed to the students’ success should not go unnoticed today.
“It will be a while before we receive full and verified results for the county, but we are optimistic that the vast majority of Warwickshire pupils have been successful in reaching their target grades.”
Around 6,000 sixteen-year-olds sat their GCSEs this year. And, as a result of continuing partnership working between schools, colleges and training providers, increasing numbers of 16-year-olds are also celebrating success with GCSE equivalent qualifications, such as Young Apprenticeships, Btecs and other practical and applied learning qualifications.
From September 2009, the popular vocational NOVA, STAR and SWIFT programmes will be complemented by six new diploma programmes, each offering the equivalent of seven higher grade GCSEs.
Mark Gore, Head of Transforming Education at Warwickshire County Council, added: “I am sure many young people will be celebrating today as they receive the GCSE results which will enable them to move on to the next stage of their education or training. It is marvellous to see the hard work of both teachers and students produce successful outcomes.
“Although thousands of students will be delighted with their results, we recognise that some students may not have achieved the grades that they expected.
"Excellent support is available to young people through their school, college and local Connexions service. They can advise on a wide range of career opportunities open to teenagers to continue their learning at school, college or in employment-based training.”
Next month marks the beginning of a significant year for Year 9 pupils who are starting their GCSEs from September. They are the first year group who will be staying on in education or training until they are 17.
Last year 51 per cent of pupils in Warwickshire schools gained five or more GCSE grades A* to C or equivalent including English and mathematics, compared with the national figure of 48 per cent. This was a three percentage point rise from 2007, compared with a national rise of one percentage point.