Bracknell

Students at Bracknell Forest Borough Council's schools are celebrating their best ever GCSE results.

Provisional results released today reveal the number of Bracknell students achieving five or more passes at the top A* to C grades has rocketed to a record 60% from last year's previous record high of 54%.

Results have improved at all six of the Council's secondary schools with Brakenhale School almost doubling the number of students gaining five A* to C grades.

This year 43% of students at the Rectory Lane school achieved five A* to C grades, a huge increase on 22% in 2005.

Garth Hill College saw a 12% increase, up from 43% last year to 55% this year. Easthampstead Park School, Edgbarrow School and Ranelagh CE School also reported their best ever GCSE results.

And, in the National Curriculum Tests at Key Stages 1, 2 and 3 provisional results show that Bracknell Forest pupils look set to remain above national average figures in every subject.

The figures also show improvement on last year’s figures in most subjects.

At Key Stage 1 (seven year olds) pupils improved by 1% on last year’s performance in maths with 94% achieving the expected level 2 or above.

At Key Stage 2 (eleven year olds) the results for English showed the greatest improvement with 85% now achieving the expected level 4 or above. Results in science and mathematics also improved.

Finally, at Key Stage 3 (14 year olds) 84% of pupils achieved the expected level 5 in mathematics, representing a significant improvement of 5% on last year’s figure. Results also improved in science by 3%.

Tony Eccleston, Director of Bracknell Education, Children’s Services and Libraries, said: "This year's results are excellent.

"GCSE results have been improving steadily over the past few years but to have all of our schools reporting record pass rates in the same year is a major achievement.

"We'll continue to support our schools in keeping up the momentum and building on this year's results.

"Well done to all the children who took examinations this summer on their outstanding success."

Cllr Alan Ward, Executive Member for Education and Libraries, said: "GCSE students have produced the borough's best ever results which is a great achievement.

"Results this good come after a lot of hard work and effort and that is down to our children and their teachers - I congratulate them on their success.

"We have had GCSEs as a priority for improvement for two or three years now and these results indicate our efforts are paying off.

"I am delighted to see our children continuing to do well at all Key Stage levels and I should like to thank all of our schools staff and also the Council's officers who have supported our schools and made an important contribution to today's success."

Any GCSE student in need of advice or guidance following their examination results should contact their school or call Connexions on 080 800 13 2 19.

Bracknell Forest Borough Council