Hammersmith and Fulham is in top three boroughs for GCSE results
Thursday January 21, 2010
Hammersmith & Fulham has officially been named the third best local authority in the country for students achieving five or more A*-C at GCSE.
Eighty-two per cent of students in H&F achieved five or more GCSEs at A*-C last year, with the borough moving up the table from ninth the previous year, jumping up the ranks from 34th in 2005.
There was also good news for students who got five or more A*-C grades, including English and maths, with H&F climbing 14 places from 21st position to seventh nationally. The results also meant that the borough was the fourth best in London, second most improved London borough and the fourth most improved borough nationally – up 8.5% from last year.
The official figures released this month by the Department for Children, Schools and Families confirm the marked, recent improvement of Hammersmith & Fulham’s schools.
Cabinet member for children's services, Cllr Sarah Gore, said: "These are the best-ever results the borough has seen and we have improved dramatically from last year. This phenomenal turn-around shows that hard work and dedication gets results, and we hope this is a springboard to even more success in future.
“Everyone involved in this fantastic achievement – teachers, pupils, parents – should be very proud of themselves."
64.1% of students in the borough achieved five or more A* to C grades in subjects including maths and English – an increase of 8.5% from 55.6% in 2008. Results are also well above national averages, which stood at 47.6% in 2008 and 49.8% in 2009.
The top performing school in the borough was London Oratory, on Seagrave Road, West Brompton, where 93% of pupils took home five or more GCSEs at A* to C, including English and maths. The pass rate rocketed from last year, when the school achieved 82%.
Director of studies, Michael Sharman, was thrilled with the results. He said: “Congratulations to all of the boys on these excellent results. Through their hard work and the support of all our staff, we have achieved our best results in recent years.”
Fulham Cross Girls’ School was one of the biggest improvers this year with 70.4% of pupils achieving five or more A*-C grades including English and maths – up an amazing 22% on last year.
Headteacher Bernie Peploe said: “I am absolutely delighted for the students and their families. I would like to thank all the staff for their continued hard work and commitment to ensure that every student achieves her full potential. These are our best results ever and confirm that Fulham Cross Girls School is continuing to move from strength to strength.”
Phoenix, Sacred Heart and Hurlingham and Chelsea helped the borough top the table in London for students with two or more A*-C grades in science, with Phoenix achieving a 100% record. Hurlingham and Chelsea had 96% and Sacred Heart had 91%.
Phoenix also had the highest ‘contextual value added’ score, meaning that it is the best secondary school in England and Wales for pupil academic progress. CVA takes into account pupils’ ability when they start at school, as well as other factors such as gender and levels of deprivation which can impact on pupils’ performance.
Headteacher, Sir William Atkinson, said: “The school has a great deal to celebrate again this year. Our latest exam results reached record levels and we’re succeeding here against all odds.”
