GCSE results success for Hartlepool students

Early indications show that 2017 results in Hartlepool are higher than last year, with a number of schools showing significant improvements.

Mark Patton, Hartlepool Council’s Assistant Director (Education), said:

“Our young people in Year 11 have faced tremendous change whilst studying their GCSEs over the last two years. The standards in English and in mathematics have been made more challenging.

“Students, parents, carers and employers know that the grading system for mathematics, English Language and English Literature have changed this year. Instead of grades being letters A* to G, grades will be numbers from 9 (the highest) to 1. A new Grade 4 is called a ‘standard pass’; a new Grade 5 is called a ‘good pass’; both are equivalent to the bottom and top respectively of an old GCSE ‘C’ grade. These changes make it very difficult to compare this year’s results with previous years.

“There will be further change next year when all other GCSE subjects move to the new Grade 9 to 1 system.

“At this time we are not in a position to have a detailed town-wide picture. However, it would be fair to say that at this early stage it looks as though Hartlepool’s GCSE results are up on last year’s. I am particularly pleased to see that early indications are that this year boys have improved more than the girls have. Nationally, results are down slightly on 2016.

“I want to thank the school staff, parents and carers of all our students for the support they give their young people to help them to achieve at school. Our students have risen to the challenge of dealing with much more demanding mathematics and English examination papers.

Councillor Alan Clark, Chair of Hartlepool Borough Council’s Children’s Services Committee, said: “I am really pleased that Hartlepool Year 11 students have been so successful. This year was always going to be difficult because of the harder English and maths papers. Our young people have achieved very well despite these changes and our secondary schools have improved on last year’s results.

“I would like to congratulate all students – they have worked very hard for their GCSEs – and I wish them all the very best as they take their next steps into further education or training.

“This improvement comes after our younger children in primary schools achieved very well in their national tests too. This year’s results are testament to all who work in Hartlepool schools. Hartlepool really is a learning town!”