Following the release of GCSE results today, Councillor Sam Webster, Portfolio Holder for Education, Employment and Skills at Nottingham City Council has congratulated pupils on their achievements and issued this statement.
“Today is a big day for thousands of pupils across Nottingham and I would like to congratulate them on their hard work. I would also like to thank all the teachers, support staff and governors at schools across Nottingham city, and parents for the support they have offered.
“Early indications show a significant improvement in results in Nottingham, with the number of pupils getting GCSEs in English and maths (grades A* – C) increasing roughly around 7 percent. Although these results are provisional and we will have a clearer picture in November, they indicate Nottingham is bucking the national trend and improving.
“Overall the vast majority of schools have improved on the progress their pupils are making against national standards – some are far exceeding it.
“Remember, today’s results are only one part of how we measure school success. These GCSE results are set against a brighter picture for education in Nottingham. We’re the most improved local authority area for school attendance, pupil behaviour is good and our A-level results are now better.
“Two years ago, seven of the city’s secondary schools were judged to be inadequate by Ofsted – currently there are no inadequate schools. The majority are either good or outstanding, with others waiting to be inspected.
“School attendance has also improved in Nottingham for the sixth year in a row. Overall, absence has fallen over the past six academic years in Nottingham, from 7.2% in 2009/10 to 4.9% in 2014/15. The latest attendance statistics for the 2015 autumn term published by the Department of Education in May, show that pupil absence continues to improve in the city, with the number of children missing lessons down from 4.6% in autumn term 2014 to in 4.3% in autumn term 2015.
“We know there is good progress happening and we now need everybody to continue to work together to see more improvement. In particular, the work of our Education Improvement Board is helping to connect schools and academies with a shared vision for how we can work together to make sure our pupils succeed in school.
“We still expect further improvements. As a city we are ambitious for our young people and we want every child in Nottingham to be taught in a school that is judged either good or outstanding by Ofsted. Our children and young people deserve nothing less.”