Exam results among the best in London
Friday January 27, 2012
School pupils in Hammersmith & Fulham achieved the third best GCSE results in London.
Latest figures just released by the government show 71.3% of students passed five or more GCSEs at Grade A* to C including English and Maths, up from 49% in 2005/6.
The borough’s schools significantly out-performed the inner London average of just 59.6% and come third behind only Sutton and neighbouring Kensington & Chelsea.
“In 2005 there were 12 London boroughs with better results, so the improvement our local schools have achieved is really remarkable,” says Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, Cllr Helen Binmore. “ It is this rapid rise in standards coupled with more choice for parents that is behind the huge increase in applications to local schools this year.
“This year saw an explosion in popularity for our schools. In 2005/6 only 45% of local children attended local state schools. That is now up to 61% - a direct reflection of the huge improvement in standards and exam success.
“Credit for these excellent results has to go to our inspirational head teachers who have high aspirations for their students, the hard-working students and to the talent and dedication of their teachers.”
The news come hot on the heels of research that shows pupils from low income families in Hammersmith & Fulham are likely to get better GCSE results than children elsewhere.
According to new research carried out by the think tank CentreForum, 56 per cent of pupils from lower income groups in the borough achieve five GCSEs A* to C including English and maths, the sixth highest number for any local authority in the country.
Cllr Helen Binmore, adds: “Education is the single most important factor in giving future generations a hand up to succeed in life. Children in H&F schools come from a huge range of backgrounds and we have a high proportion of pupils from low income families. Thirty one per cent of pupils qualify for free school meals compared to 15 per cent nationally.”
