FOR YEARS, Thurrock schools have known unprecedented success when it comes to GCSE success.
But tomorrow (Thursday) all that could change due to a number of "reforms’ in the GCSE system.
The overhaul of English qualifications affecting 16 and 18-year-olds has led commentators to predict a dip in results this summer.
Among the changes to GCSEs is the abolition of the exam windows in January and March, preventing students from sitting the same test in the winter and then again in the summer.
Pupils can no longer enter exams early, barring them getting some results ‘in the bag’, and in English marks for teacher-assessed speaking and listening exercises have been axed, placing a greater emphasis on the end-of-course exam.
Experts are also predicting a rise in the number of schools set to lodge official appeals against grades.
Exam boards have already told schools that GCSE results may be "volatile" and appealed to governors not to sack headteachers over disappointing grades.
Despite the upheaval, Thurrock will be hoping its schools’ results continue on an upward trajectory.
For this year’s GCSE students, leaving school does not mean the end of their education.
By law, all students who sat exams in the summer must continue with some form of education or training until their 18th birthday.
The Government has ‘raised the participation age’ due to the benefits extra study can bring. Those teenagers who continue in education or training after they reach 16 are more likely to achieve higher qualifications and earn more over their lifetime.
For your guidance, here are the exam results from 2008 to 2013 in Thurrock.
2013 5 A* to C (inc Eng and Maths)
1. Harris Academy: 93%
2. Gable Hall: 74%
3. St Clere’s: 66%
4. William Edwards: 66%
4. Hassenbrook Academy: 62%
6. Grays Convent: 56%
7. Ockendon Academy: 51%
8. Gateway Academy: 50%
9. Ormiston Park Academy: 40%
10. Hathaway Academy: 39%
========================
2012 5 A* to C (inc English and Maths)
1. Harris Academy (Chafford Hundred) : 85%
2. William Edwards: 71%
3. Gable Hall: 70%
4. Hassenbrook: 65%
5. Grays Convent: 63%
5. St Clere’s: 63%
7. Gateway Academy: 53%
8. Ockendon Academy: 51%
9. Ormiston Park Academy: 35%
10. Grays School: 32%
=================================
2011
1.Harris Academy (Chafford Hundred): 92%
2.William Edwards: 71%
2.St Clere’s: 71%
4.Gable Hall: 66%
4.Grays Convent: 66%
6.Hassenbrook Academy: 59%
7.Gateway Academy: 56%
8.Ockendon: 51%
9.Ormiston Park Academy: 40%
10. Grays School: 35%
===========================
2010
1. Chafford Hundred: 79%
2. Gable Hall: 70%
3. Grays Convent: 68%
4. William Edwards: 67%
5. St Clere’s: 67%:
6. Hassenbrook: 64%
7. Ockendon: 46%
8. Gateway Academy: 44%
9. Ormiston Park Academy: 38.3%
10.Grays School: 30%
2009
1. Grays Convent: 64%
2. Chafford Hundred: 62%
3. Gable Hall: 59%
4. William Edwards: 56%
5. Hassenbrook: 54%
6. St Cleres: 45%
7. Grays: 35%
8. Ockendon: 31%
9. Gateway: 31%
10.Ormiston: 23%
2008
1. Grays Convent: 61%
2. Gable Hall: 60%
3. Chafford Hundred: 59%
4. William Edwards: 56%
5. St Cleres: 45%
6. Hassenbrook: 35%
7. Ockendon: 29%
8. Ormiston: 28%
9. Grays: 27%
10. Gateway: 17%
