Pupils in Cheshire East have, once again, performed above the national average after chalking up some impressive GCSE results.
Provisional figures show that 66 per cent of pupils achieved five or more A*– C grades, including English and maths, three per cent better than the validated 63 per cent figure last year.
Currently there is no national figure available but using last year's data of 57 per cent, Cheshire East continues to perform well above this figure.
The proportion of pupils gaining five A*– C grades in any subject is 73 per cent, which is one percentage point higher than last year.
In English, 79 per cent of Cheshire East pupils gained a grade between A* and C. Again this is an increase on last year's figure of 74 per cent.
In the other main core subject, 74 per cent of pupils achieved A* – C grades in maths compared to last year's 73 per cent.
Please see our separate reports on the GCSE results achieved at our local schools Wilmslow High School and Alderley Edge School for Girls.
Additionally, Wilmslow and Alderley residents were among the highflyers at the King's School. Top musician Emma Gosnay, 16, from Wilmslow, achieved 10A*s and one A and wants to work in business while Anushka Lithgow, 16, from Alderley Edge, got five A*s, three As and two Bs and would like to work for the United Nations.
Genevieve Jeffcoate from Alderley Edge, who is a pupil at Cheadle Hulme School, received 10 A* plus an A* distinction in Further Maths. She is going to study Maths, French, German and English Literature at A level.
Whilst Alexa McTiffin from Wilmslow, a pupil at Manchester High School for Girls, received 8 A*s, 1 A and an A* with distinction in her Additional Mathematics paper.
She commented: "I am really happy with these results and I can't wait to get started at A-level; I will be taking Maths, Further Maths, Physics and Chemistry here at Manchester High."
This year sees new national performance measures being used to determine school performance. The results from this summer's examinations will be used in the new performance tables, due out in January 2017, which will include new measures to indicate how well students performed in eight key subjects.
The measures will show both the average grades across these subjects as well as rates of progress. Based upon today's early analysis, it indicates that for all learners across Cheshire East, the average grade is currently showing as an A.
Councillor Liz Durham, Cabinet member in charge of children and families, said: "The young people of Cheshire East have excelled in their GCSEs again. I am delighted by this because GCSEs are so important and provide the platform for a young person's future.
"To achieve an average grade of A for all learners across eight key subjects is a fantastic achievement and gives every learner the best opportunity to progress into their next phase of education, apprenticeship, training or employment.
"The Council's arm's length Skills and Growth Company can help ensure young people consider all the options available to them including an apprenticeship, which can be a clear route to a rewarding career.
"This is a very anxious time for youngsters but I really do hope that the agonising wait for results has been worth it.
"I want to thank families, teachers and schools' staff, who have worked very hard to support our pupils and also the young people themselves, who continue to maintain a high success rate in Cheshire East."
