Northern Education Trust GCSE students perform exceptionally well
Students and staff are thrilled with the results achieved, in the first GCSE examinations since the pandemic.
Exceeding national percentages
The percentage of students across the trust who have achieved strong passes (at grade 5+) in English and maths has improved by 6% since 2019, up to a fantastic 53%. The percentage of students achieving standard passes (at grade 4+) in English and maths has improved by 5% since 2019, up to a phenomenal 72%. Set against the background of the pandemic, and the fact that many of the trust’s academies are located in areas of high deprivation, with 48% of secondary students eligible for free school meals, this is an exceptional achievement. The overall numbers are expected to far exceed the national percentages at grade 5+ and grade 4+.
Northern Education Trust Thorp Academy in Tyne and Wear has the highest number of students achieving grade 5+ and grade 4+ within the trust, at 68% and a magnificent 82% respectively.
Particularly noteworthy is the tremendous progress of students at academies who have joined the trust in recent years: Northern Education Trust Freebrough Academy and Northern Education Trust Walbottle Academy. Students achieving grade 5+ at Freebrough have improved 32 percentage points to 58%; and Walbottle students’ achievements have improved 33 percentage points to 53%. 79% of Freebrough students have achieved grade 4+, up from 50% in 2019; and the percentage of Walbottle students achieving grade 4+ has increased from 42% to 68% this year.
All secondary academies have seen an increase in the number of entries to the English Baccalaureate qualification (EBacc), and in particular the aspirational subjects in EBacc (geography, history, modern foreign languages and science).
Overall the number of entries across the trust has increased to 34%, bringing the trust much closer to the expected national figure than previously.
Ofsted Inspections
Several secondary academies have been inspected by Ofsted in the last year, all of which improved in their ratings. Two academies were graded outstanding – Dyke House Academy in Hartlepool, and North Shore Academy in Stockton on Tees which rose from Requires Improvement straight to Outstanding, having never been judged to be a Good school previously.
Both sets of results reinforce and validate their Ofsted judgements. North Shore’s results show an increase of 41 percentage points of students entering EBacc – up to 54% from 2019. The Progress 8 score for their students (based on the current methodology which will change in the autumn) has increased to a massive +0.63, from -0.19 in 2019.
The results for a good pass (grade 5+) in English and Maths at Dyke House have improved 9 percentage points, with their Progress 8 score increasing by one third of a grade.
Over the moon
Rob Tarn, Chief Executive, is over the moon with the results, saying:
“Our students have worked incredibly hard over the last few years to achieve these results, with many overcoming difficult barriers to do so. The improvements since 2019 clearly demonstrate the effectiveness and success of the NORTHERN model of school improvement, allowing us to fulfill our vision of enhancing the life chances of our students. My thanks go to the staff for their energy and commitment to ensuring our students succeed, and to all parents, carers, governors and the trust board for their continual support. I am extremely proud of our students – these results are the culmination of their incredible efforts and dedication, allowing them to progress to the next stage of their lives with confidence in their abilities to succeed. My congratulations go to every single one of them, and I wish them every possible success in their future.”
Mark Sanders OBE, Chair of the trust board, added his congratulations, saying:
“These results reflect the commitment and effort of the staff and students across the trust. I am delighted that their hard work has been rewarded with these exceptional results and I am filled with pride for their achievements.”
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