Schools improving in Kent and Medway

SCHOOL standards have improved for another year in Kent and Medway.

The latest secondary school league tables published by the government showed record-breaking results, with 11 boasting 100 per cent of pupils achieving the benchmark five A*-C GCSEs including English and maths.

But while some were highlighted as the top achieving in the country, others were among the worst.

The Marlowe Academy, previously the Ramsgate School, was named and shamed as the sixth worst performing school in England, with just 20 per cent of pupils achieving five good GCSEs – or equivalent qualifications such as BTEC – including English and maths.

In Medway, the Bishop of Rochester Academy fared even worse, listed as third worst in the country with only 16 per cent of pupils meeting the target.

Across Kent, however, the number of students meeting the minimum increased by 3.2 per cent to 82.5 per cent – three points above the national average. Six out of ten pupils achieved five good GCSEs including English and maths, rising 2.6 per cent to 59.4 per cent since 2010, slightly above the national average of 58.9 per cent.

In Medway, 83.3 per cent of students gained five A*-C grades compared to 77 per cent last year. The number achieving A*-C including English and maths increased to 55.7 per cent.

Kent County Council cabinet member for education, learning and skills Mike Whiting said schools were once again ahead of the national average.

“While the focus in August was on individual success, it is now about recognising the hard work of [all] staff who give their all to helping young people learn and prepare for further education, employment and training,” he said.

Over the next few years, schools will be challenged to raise standards in the core subjects of English, maths and science, and make sure disadvantaged students get better outcomes.

In the latest league tables, the Department for Education revealed the difference between pupils on free school meals and those from better off families.

For Kent, deprived students are half as likely to reach the standard benchmark of five good GCSEs.

Cllr Whiting said: “The focus on those from disadvantaged backgrounds is absolutely right. Education is one of the things that shapes a person’s life and can break that generational cycle of low achievement and low aspiration.”

Education chiefs in Medway welcomed the improved results but said there was more to be done to ensure pupils made good progress.

Cabinet member for children’s services Cllr Les Wicks said: “There have been some good results across the board this year, with significant improvements at many of our schools and the best GCSE results in Medway for the seventh year running.

“We have a strong record of improvement, and while we are of course pleased with the overall results, we know there’s more to be done and will continue to work hard to ensure schools are making good progress and achieving the right results for their students.”