Students across County Durham have bucked the national trend with yet another improvement in GCSE results.
The pass rate in the county has increased for the 11th year in a row, while early indications show that nationally the rate has fallen.
62.7 per cent of pupils achieved five or more A* to C grades, including English and maths, in comparison to 62 per cent last year. Particularly noteworthy, is the fact that 70 per cent of pupils have gained good grades in mathematics.
Twenty-two of the county’s 33 secondary schools have at least 60 % of pupils gaining five or more A* to C grades, including English and maths, with 14 schools having at least 70 % of pupils achieving this standard.
And in the east of the county, pupils performed particularly well with an average of 67 per cent of students gaining five or more A* to C passes, including English and maths. This is in comparison to a national average last year of 59 per cent of pupils.
Cllr Ossie Johnson, Cabinet member for Children and Young People’s Services, said: “We are delighted that we have once again seen an increase in the number of pupils gaining top results at GCSE level.This year, it means hundreds more students have the qualifications to progress to further education.
“This is a very positive result and is a testament to the effort and determination of pupils, staff, parents and governors across County Durham. We are very proud of the achievement of all of our young people. “We congratulate them and wish them well for the future.”