VALE high schools enjoyed mixed fortunes in the Key Stage 4 performance figures released by the Government.
It’s the first set of figures to be published under a completely new system of monitoring schools, called Progress 8, which looks at the progress a pupil makes from the end of primary school to the end of secondary school.
The data reveals Prince Henry’s High School achieved a score above the national average, Pershore High School was graded average while The De Montfort School achieved a score below the national average.
The new system compares pupils’ results with the achievements of other youngsters with the same prior attainment, and measures performance across eight qualifications.
Previously, schools were judged on the number of students achieving at least five C grades at GCSE, including English and Maths.
Pershore High School’s headteacher, Clive Corbett, said: “With the new emphasis upon progress within national statistics, we are pleased with the performance of our students in the 2016 examinations.
“Of course, there is always room for improvement in any school, but we will remain determined to secure the best possible outcomes for all of our young people. This applies both to their academic success and preparing them for future life in all respects.”
Dr Tony Evans, the headteacher of Prince Henry’s High School, told the Observer he welcomed the new system of monitoring schools as it measures students on a larger range of subjects.
“Last summer, we were delighted with the achievements of our students, who excelled in many areas and are pleased to see this reflected in the latest Performance Tables,” he said.
“The Performance Tables provide a measure of academic performance, but so much more happens in schools which, unfortunately, the tables cannot measure or capture.
“We very much welcome the fact that students will be measured on a broader range of results, and also the progress that they make over time.
“However, the Performance Tables do not reflect the differential in funding levels across schools in different parts of the country.
“Worcestershire is a Local Authority that has been poorly funded for many years and it is therefore a testament to the hard work of teachers and students that performance for the majority of measures in the Performance Tables has been well above the national average.”
