HUNDREDS of Thurrock teachers and lecturers are set to join a demonstration at Parliament next month in a fresh protest at the Government's controversial pension changes. Up to 25,000 people are expected to take part in the lobby against what they say are "ruthless" pensions cuts in the education sector.
“Too often people leave it too late, miss the deadline for applying and that causes major problems. It often means that because the application was late, the children have to be slotted in wherever there is space available. The parents then appeal and there is a drawn out process where the child’s future schooling is in the balance.
Basildon magistrates heard last week (25 August) that the Ockendon family has been known to Thurrock Council’s Education Welfare Service for several years and that during this time she had refused to engage with the service and other professionals trying to address her child’s poor school attendance.
IT SEEMS remarkable that in 2008, Gateway Academy only achieved 17% in the benchmark figure of 5 GCSEs at A* to C.
Today the school achieved a remarkable 56%. Last year the schools improvement was amazing with 44%. This year only Chafford Hundred have achieved a double figure increase so for Gateway to do so as well just shows what can be achieved.
JUST A FEW months ago, William Edwards School and Sports College celebrated attaining an outstanding report from Ofsted. To cap it all, they have improved their number of pupils who gain 5 or more GCSEs at A* to C to 70% up from 67% last year and up 14% from two years ago.
HARRIS ACADEMY, Chafford Hundred achieved an astonishing result today with the 92% of students gaining 5 or more GCSEs at A* to C. It is another remarkable landmark in the rise and rise of the school, that, only five years ago, was given notice to improve by Ofsted. The school now stands 22% ahead of its nearest rivals, St Clere's and William Edwards. It is the Usain Bolt of education in Thurrock.
HEADTEACHER Barbara King and her team were in ecstatic mood as they celebrated their best results ever at the Eriff Drive school. In 2008, the number of students passing 5 GCSEs with an A* to C inc English and Maths stood at 29%. Today it crashed through the highly significant 50% barrier, gaining 51%.
Anyone who regularly visits the school will know that it has a real focus and this has been borne out by the huge achievement. But perhaps most importantly, the boys are catching up the girls with 68% of boys gaining 5 or more A* to C. That figure is hugely significant.
Two years ago, the schools GCSE results at 5 A* to C inc English and Maths stood at 23%, the lowest by 8% in the borough. This year, they are 17% better, with a great result of 40%. This is one of the most significant results across the borough and a real breakthrough for the school.
LAST YEAR was a tough year for Grays School. Whilst every other schools results went up, they declined. Headteacher, Lynn Ibeji told us this morning that they looked at a number of reasons that they felt were the causes. It clearly worked as the school made a 5% improvement in their 5 A* to C grades at GCSE inc English and Maths.
Having said that, they have gained 7% on 2009 with 66% of the students gaining 5 GCSE's at A* to C. However, the hall was crowded with dozens of very excited young people who had worked very hard and were delighted with their results.
Grays Convent have slipped from first place in 2008, second in 2009, third in 2010 and now the school has slumped to fifth in 2011. Todays result sees them at 66% for 5 GCSE's at A* to C inc English and Maths.
HASSENBROOK'S results illustrated the difficulties schools face when they are challenged with statistics. On the one hand they are 7% above the level set for them by the government. On the other hand, they are 5% below last years breakthrough of 64%.
Will Chafford Hundred retain their No 1 status as they are on the eve of a new term as a Harris Academy?
Can Grays Convent address the slide which has seen them decline from first to second to third since 2008. Can William Edwards, St Clere's and Hassenbrook build on the phenomenal improvements last year. No-one expects leaps of 22% but can any of them nudge the 70% barrier.
STAFF and students at Palmer’s College are celebrating today after receiving excellent A-level results, with a 100% pass rate in 17 subjects.
The College gained an overall pass rate of 97.3%, an improvement of 0.5% on the 2010 results. Subjects with a 100% pass rate include Further Maths, English Language, Accounting, ICT, Economics and Geography.
