Tribute to record-breakers

OLDHAM’S GCSE stars have been congratulated on their record-breaking performance.

Results across the borough have improved for the ninth successive year, with 71 per cent of pupils getting five or more A* to C grades, up 6.8 percentage points.

The figures including English and maths have also risen by 3.6 percentage points to 46.7 per cent. However, it should hit the local authority’s target of 47 per cent after verifications and appeals.

Councillor Kay Knox, cabinet member for children, young people and families, said: “The early indications are that this has been another record-breaking performance by Oldham’s students and I would like to congratulate them — and all school staff — on all their astonishing hard work.

“However we are not complacent and realise much hard work remains to be done — even ahead of the introduction of Academy schools — to ensure Oldham’s youngsters get the best possible start in life.

“These improved results demonstrate the aspirations and commitment of our students to continue their education and training.”

Schools celebrating their best ever results include St Augustine where 35 per cent of year 11 pupils got five A* to C grades including English and maths — up 14 percentage points.

Head teacher Roger Whitaker said: “Our pupils exceeded their targets, not only this this category, but in all other categories set by the Government.

“Coming on the back of a very positive report and ‘good’ judgement from Ofsted, the results underline the extent of the school’s ongoing improvement.”

The five A* to C pass rate at Kaskenmoor School improved for the fourth consecutive year, hitting, 57 per cent.

This dropped to 25 per cent including English and maths and head teacher John Alder said: “Although figures are still very provisional we do appear to have missed the government’ s new threshold target of 30 per cent. This is very disappointing and well below our expectations.

“However, we are absolutely delighted with all other aspects of our results.

“This year’s pupils have achieved the highest number of A* grades in the school’s history. So while disappointed at missing the new target, we are delighted that results in every other area have continued to improve.”




Birthday joy for Megan

KAREN DOHERTY



BIRTHDAY girl Megan Needham received an early gift — an A*, three As and six Bs in her GCSEs.



The St Augustine pupils ripped open her results the day before she turned 16 and said: “It was a good birthday surprise. I am chuffed, I did not expect it.”

The teenager from Werneth will study biology, PE and double art at Oldham Sixth-Form college and aims to take art at university.

Leading the way St Augustine’s was 16-year-old Lucy Bean, from Watersheddings, with clean sheet of three A*s and seven As.

She also picked up the results for her twin brothers Jake and Luke who both passed their RE GCSE at the age of 14.

“I am really, really pleased. The exams were quite difficult,” said Lucy. “I was really happy when I opened my results, I wasn’t expecting what I got.”

St Augustine’s is celebrating record results with 35 per cent of pupils receiving at least five A* to C grades including English and maths — up 14 percentage points,

Among those getting their results was Sam Shaw (16), from Lees, who followed in the footsteps of high-achieving older brothers Jack (19) and Matt (18).

He admitted that he was surprised to receive one A*, six As, two Bs and one C, saying: “I was expecting a few As, mainly Bs, really.

“I am chuffed. I couldn’t sleep the night before receiving my results, I was too nervous.”

Some Year 9 and 10 pupils also took GCSEs early, including 15-year-old Martin Minshall, who received an A for English literature and a B for philosophy.

Head teacher Mike McGhee said the school’s results exceed Government targets.

It is looking forward to being one of the most improved nationally and he added: “Coming on the back of a very positive report and ‘Good’ judgement from Ofsted, the results underline the extent of the school’s ongoing improvement.

“Ofsted acknowledged that substantial improvements in teaching and learning, behaviour and attendance ensured the foundations were in place for both our current and continued academic success.”


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