EVER year, the press releases regarding exam results in Thurrock come in. It is a simple process.
But in 2015, things seem to have got a bit murky.
The key statistic that everyone looks for is the percentage of students who gained 5 or more GCSEs at A* to C (including English and Maths).
On Wednesday evening, Ormsiton Park Academy, sent a press release out which highlighted that the school had attained the best GCSE results ever.
On Thursday morning, Grays Convent had a visit from education chiefs as they also recorded their best ever results.
Hathaway Academy informed us that they also had a record year of 44%.
The results came in across the county. For some schools, infact for many, there was disappointment as their results had declined. But they sucked it up, published and praised their students.
Late on Thursday evening, a press release emerged from Gable Hall where, to give her her due, headteacher, Dr Sophia Asong, candidly, went on record to say she was "bitterly disappointed".
Behind the scenes some heads explained that some schools may have been hit hard if they had a large number of students who were on the C/D borderline. For many that may have been the case in Maths.
Right at the end of the day, a press release emerged from Thurrock Council that seemed to showcase every statistical return apart from they key one to do with 5 A* to C (inc English and Maths).
So, we sent an e mail to Gateway Academy, Hassenbrook Academy, Harris Academy Chafford Hundred, St Clere’s Co-Operative Academy, William Edwards and Ockendon Academy.
But to date, there has been no reply.
The leader of Thurrock Council and portfolio holder for education, cllr John Kent issued a press release that started to talk about "anomalies"
Cllr Kent said: Cllr Kent said: “It is a real shame these anomalies will undoubtedly overshadow the hundreds of individual success stories our students have to tell.
“It is sad that all the hard work and effort put in by the young people and those who help and support them can be ruined by the vagaries of the examination system – a method where changes to marking procedures can be made in the middle of the academic year affecting predicted grades".
This, therefore begs a question as to why every area in Essex appears to be able to publish their 5 A* to C grades, anomalies or not, except for Thurrock? Is Thurrock the anomaly, that has been playing a high risk exam game and now been found out?
It does appear (but may not be the case) that for many years, Thurrock schools have shouted from the roof-tops when their results have been good. They, perhaps like no other area, have embraced the opportunity to become an academy and free for the shackles of the local authority.
It would be a shame, therefore, if their silence over this particular set of grades were to be mis-interpreted.
As one retired teacher said to us: "What is it they appear to be running from?"
For your guidance, here are the exam results since 2008.
2015 5 A* to C (inc English and Math
1, Grays Convent: 70%
2. Hathaway Academy: 44%
3. Ormiston Park Academy: 42%
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2014 5 A* to C (inc English and Maths)
1. Harris Academy: 93%
2. Gable Hall: 74%
3. William Edwards: 70%
4. St Clere’s: 67%
5. Grays Convent: 63%
6. Hassenbrook Academy: 55%
7. Gateway Academy: 50%
7. Ockendon Academy: 50%
9. Hathaway Academy: 44%
10. Ormiston Park Academy: 38%
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2013 5 A* to C (inc Eng and Maths)
1. Harris Academy: 93%
2. Gable Hall: 74%
3. William Edwards: 71%
4. St Clere’s: 66%
5. Hassenbrook Academy: 62%
6. Grays Convent: 56%
7. Ockendon Academy: 50%
7. 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%
Results not yet published (awaiting verification)
Ockendon Academy:
Ormiston Park Academy:
Grays School
==================================
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%
