GCSE results in Barking and Dagenham beat national average in education ‘milestone’
Students at Sydney Russell School celebrate their GCSE results - Credit: Archant
Students in Barking and Dagenham are passing their GCSEs at a higher rate than the national average for the first time in what headteachers are calling an “important milestone”.
More of the borough’s pupils than ever are achieving five or more A* to C grades in their GCSEs, including English and maths, according to the council’s analysis of government statistics which it released this week.
David Dickson, headteacher at Eastbury Comprehensive School in Barking, said: “We are absolutely delighted for all the children in the borough and very proud here at Eastbury to have played a part in this important milestone.”
Department for Education figures show 59.3 per cent of pupils gained at least five passes compared with the UK average of 58.6 per cent.
The department notes that this is part of year-on-year improvement since 2009.”
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More Year 11 pupils are making progress in Key Stage 2 than the national average, especially in maths.
Barking has also seen one of London’s biggest rises in the number of school students going on to university.
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Kevin Wilson, headteacher at All Saints Catholic School in Dagenham, said: “In just a few years we’ve gone from being one of the worst-achieving boroughs to beating the national average.
“The students’ aspirations have risen. The levels of expectations have changed on all sides – parents, schools and the local authority.
“It’s also down to the leadership and management of secondary school staff.”
Cllr John White, cabinet member for children’s services, said: “The figures speak for themselves as we have made a significant jump of over 14 per cent since 2009.”
