New figures released today by the DCSF show that secondary schools in Cumbria are both improving year-on-year and outperforming national averages in Key Stage 3 (KS3) results.
In Maths, 752 pupils are still waiting for results (13.1% of all Cumbrian pupils) due to well-publicised problems in the national marking process, so the results are likely to change from today's published averages. However, the figures look impressive at this stage:
- 81.2% of Cumbrian pupils achieved level 5+ in Maths at KS3. The 2008 national average for pupils achieving level 5+ in Maths at KS3 is 77%. This year's figure has improved by over 5 percentage points in the county (2007= 76% of Cumbrian pupils achieved level 5+ in Maths at KS3).
- 61.6% of Cumbrian pupils achieved level 6+ in Maths at KS3. The 2008 national average for pupils achieving level 6+ in Maths at KS3 is 57%. This year's figure has improved by over 5 percentage points in the county (2007= 56% of Cumbrian pupils achieved level 6+ in Maths at KS3).
In Science, 46 pupils are still waiting for results (0.8% of all Cumbrian pupils) so the results are not likely to change significantly from today's published averages. Nationally, science results were down on last year, but Cumbria bucked this trend by showing improvements across the board:
- 76.3% of Cumbrian pupils achieved level 5+ in Science at KS3. The 2008 national average for pupils achieving level 5+ in Science at KS3 is 71%. This year's figure has improved by over 2 percentage points in the county (2007= 74% of Cumbrian pupils achieved level 5+ in Science at KS3).
- 46.5% of Cumbrian pupils achieved level 6+ in Science at KS3. The 2008 national average for pupils achieving level 6+ in Science at KS3 is 41%. This year's figure has improved by over 4 percentage points in the county (2007= 42% of Cumbrian pupils achieved level 6+ in Science at KS3).
In Cumbria 1,850 children are still waiting for their results in English KS3, which is 32.4% of all pupils and means that the results in English are too unreliable to publish Cumbrian averages at this stage.
Cllr Jim Buchanan, cabinet member responsible for children's services, said:
"It looks like our 13-14 year olds have done us proud. Obviously, these figures are still subject to change as more results come in and some schools are challenging some of the results they've already received. But looking at these figures, it looks likes there's been a marked improvement in Year 9 pupils' performance so that now they're significantly out-achieving national averages. School children in this county are getting a better and better foundation in the core subjects that set them up for the future. But we are not complacent, we are setting challenging targets for the future and have in place a major programme of change in secondary education which will revolutionise performance in some of our weaker schools."
Moira Swann, director of children's services at Cumbria County Council, said:
"The tale so far is one of significant improvement across the board for both girls and boys. The local authority has been working closely with schools to continue to improve performance and these results are a testimony to what can be achieved with a real joint effort. Congratulations to all the pupils, teachers, staff and parents across the county for their hard work."
Notes
Follow the link at the bottom of the page to view the pdf showing the results as well as a list of the schools in Cumbria and the number of pupils for which we have not yet received preliminary results for 2008.
ENDS
Please note: Cumbria County Council's media team telephone numbers have now changed.
Media enquiries to Gareth Cosslett, News Manager on 01228 226332
Follow this link to view the KS3 National Results Summary 2005-08