PRAISE FOR GCSE EFFORTS

Released 21/08/2008

Headteachers group praises those who achieved beyond expectations

Schools and students who achieved beyond their expectations at GCSEs, despite falling short of national standards, have been praised by the National Association of Headteachers (NAHT).

Singling out students and schools who fell short of the A - C grade benchmark, the NAHT said: "Their perseverance and hard work must not be forgotten in the scramble to analyse the number of students achieving at the highest levels."

"Similarly, those schools in very challenging circumstances who continue to achieve remarkable results for their students should be singled out for praise - even if they don't meet arbitrary national targets for achievement at A - C."

The NAHT also praised those students who excelled, pointing to the fact that 20 per cent of grades awarded were either A or A*.

Reflecting all the good work, the NAHT said: "The untiring concern and effort shown by schools, their leaders and staff is reflected today in the results achieved by the pupils in their care."

The NAHT questioned the validity of National Challenge, saying: "The anticipated impact of this year's results on the list of ‘National Challenge' schools demonstrates the short-comings of assessing school quality on the basis of one performance indicator. ‘National Challenge' schools continue to provide education in challenging circumstances and need to be supported in their endeavours. They do not need to be made to feel ‘second class citizens'".

"Whilst NAHT welcomes the financial support that the National Challenge offers to some schools in challenging circumstances, it also believes that all schools should receive sufficient funds to support the particular needs of their specific cohorts."

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