KNOWSLEY: Worst in the UK

Jan 10 2008

KNOWSLEY’S secondary schools are producing the UK’s worst GCSE results in the country.

The average proportion of pupils getting five A* to C grade GCSEs, including Maths and English, is just 26.7%, 20 percentage points short of the national average.

By contrast, last year’s results were only 10% adrift of the national benchmark.

None of the borough’s schools are rated above average. A-level students get on average 532 points – less than all 145 other local authorities in the table.

EThe borough’s executive director of children’s services Damien Allen said: “We’re determined to drive up levels of attain- ment and we have a number of initiatives in place to do this.”

Top GCSE performer was St Edmund Arrowsmith RC High with 39% of its pupils getting five top GCSEs, with English and Maths.

Headteacher Martyn Campbell put the school’s figures down to the hard work and dedication of his staff.

Higher Side School in Whiston also did well and saw an increase of 13% in the number of students gaining five or more good GCSE grades, including Maths and English.

St Edmund of Canterbury Catholic High School was 47th worst UK school for truancy nationwide.

TOP Five Schools: 1 St Edmund Arrowsmith RC High, 2= Halewood College, 2= Prescot, 4 Higher Side Comprehensive, 5 Bowring Sports College