New table reveals schools failing to hit exam targets

TWO of the districts secondary schools have failed to reach the Government's standards for their GCSE results, new figures show.

Both Spires Academy, at Sturry, and Chaucer Technology School, in Canterbury, did not meet the official target of 35 per cent of pupils achieving five GCSEs at grades A* to C including English and maths.

Both managed 31 per cent, although this rose to 57 per cent of students gaining at least five GCSEs at Chaucer and 78 per cent at Spires if English and maths were excluded.

At Barton Court School in Canterbury, all pupils achieved at least five A* to C GCSEs, with an average point score of 402.2. An A* grade is worth 58 points, an A is worth 52, B is 46 and C is 40.

Students from Simon Langton Girls' School gained the highest average point score, with 417.7, and 99 per cent of pupils gained at least five good GCSEs.

Their counterparts at Simon Langton Boys School achieved an average points score of 398.4, while pupils at Queen Elizabeth's school in Faversham were hot on their heels with 395.7.

The tables, which were released on Thursday, reveal more data about schools than ever before, including how well disadvantaged pupils perform, and whether high-achieving pupils continue to make progress.

Officials say children on free school meals or who are in local authority care for at least six months are half as likely to achieve five A* to C grades than their peers.

Schools minister Nick Gibb said: "We should have high expectations for all children regardless of circumstances.

"All too often, pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds aren't given the same opportunities as their peers.

"But there are great examples of schools achieving the best for their disadvantaged pupils. If they can get it right, then so can all schools."

He warned this year the Government target would be 40 per cent of pupils achieving at least five GCSEs at grades A* to C, rising to 50 per cent by 2015.

Mr Gibb added: "Children only have one chance at education. These tables show which schools are letting children down. We will not hesitate to tackle underperformance.

"Heads should be striving to make improvements year on year.

"We are driving up standards. We are bringing the best graduates into teaching, developing a world-class curriculum, and restoring order to our classrooms."

He said inspections were targeted at the weakest schools and ministers had more powers to intervene if schools were failing.

The tables are available at www.education.gov.uk/schools/performance