Schools climb the tables

MOST schools in Sandwich and Deal are delighted at their success in performance tables.

Sandwich Technology and Sir Roger Manwood's in Sandwich, and Walmer School in Deal saw either a stable or improved result, but Castle Community in Deal saw a 20 per cent drop in GCSE passes A-C.

This is the lowest percentage for four years and comes after the school was declared one of the most improved schools in the country when it achieved its best GCSE results ever.

Mario Citro, deputy head, said the drop in the results had been predicted.

"This year they were a hard working group but generally they were less able than in previous years," he said.

"We have to look at the inherent ability of the students. This was a group where it was very likely the results would be lower.

"There was also a number of students with varying backgrounds.

There were some, for example, who had not been in education for over a year.

"But we are predicting with confidence that the current year 11 will do better than this year."

Chris Morgan, headmaster of Sir Roger Manwood's School in Sandwich, was delighted with the school's achievements, but said that the performance tables could be made more relevant.

"For a grammar school, the all important figure is one they do not use - the percentage of A* and A grades for GCSE. That would be more relevant for a selective school.

We got 45% A* and A grades this year.

"The A-level results were a record for the school. We had 54% passes at A-level at A and B grades and we are exceptionally pleased with that. The school achieved 97 per cent AC passes at GCSE which was the same as last year, and an average A-level points score of 6.8.

Walmer School is looking to build on its A-level results by expanding the range of subjects.

"We are extremely pleased with both the GCSE and A-level results," said headmaster Roger Cross.

"Pupils of all levels and abilities are passing at higher degrees." Mr Cross pointed out that the performance tables do not show progress made by pupils from the time of joining to the time when they take GCSEs.

"What the tables do not show is that we have made above average progress in Kent in both Key Stages 3 and 4.

"Pupils are making very good progress here. If you were to look at the performance that they were capable of when they first came to the school and then the GCSE performance it would be possible to see just what a difference the school makes." The school achieved 44 per cent GCSE passes at A-C grades against 45 per cent last year, and an average A-level points score of 3.7.

Pupils at Sandwich Technology School all came away with something, according to headmaster, Richard Wallis, and the performance tables represent the gradual improvement in results, "We are creeping forward slowly," said Mr Wallis. "Everyone who came to our school achieved something this year, I am delighted that we continue to go up.

"Children have different skills and I am confident that GCSE standards are rigorously upheld. It is all hard work by the pupils, staff and parents.

"On our advanced level courses all of those who aspired to go on to further education, have, apart from one who took a gap year:

"The school got 33 per cent A-C passes, compared with 30 per cent last year, and 2.7 as an average score for A-levels,

Standards are improving

SCHOOLS from Dover, Deal and Sandwich area earned good marks in a table which showed how well classroom standards have improved.

A special analysis conducted by the Kent Messenger Group looked at how well secondary schools have improved their performance in GCSEs and A levels since 1997. It was based on information contained in the Government's official league tables.

Our survey of GCSE passes since 1997 shows that while two independent selective schools top the table of 43 secondary schools, it is at Kent's high and comprehensive schools where improvement has been marked.

Dover College came fourth in this table, with St Edmund's Roman Catholic comprehensive school eighth, Astor School 28th and Archers Court 35th.

But when it comes to A levels, the rate of improvement at the county's grammars is much better with 14 appearing in top 40. Sir Roger Manwood's grammar school came seventh in this table, with St Edmund's ninth, Dover Grammar School for Girls 19th and Astor 38th.

Hard work brings joy

PUPILS' hard work was reflected in the best GCSE and A level performance tables at Dover Grammar School For Girls, according to the head teacher.

The delight expressed by Julia Bell in her school's achievements was echoed by other Dover heads.

They shared a view that the academic attainment of local children and schools was a credit to a district beset by economic problems.

Top marks in the Dover district were attained by the girls grammar school for both GCSE and A level results. Average points scored per pupil for the former were 64.2 and 26.3 for the latter.

For GCSE results, 100 per cent achieved passes in five or more subjects, 98 per cent in grades A-C.

The average points score for two or more A levels was 26.3.

Mrs Bell said that when the school was viewed countywide it came fifth among grammar schools.

Mrs Bell said she felt there should be a three year average of scores because the academic strength of intake varied on a yearly basis.

Astor School students attained an average GCSE score of 34.1, with 38 per cent managing five or more in the top three grades. Eighty eight per cent achieved A-G grades. The average points score for two or more A levels was 12.1.

Head Chris Russell said: "In the GCSE top grades, we are usually around the 30 per cent mark. To make 38 per cent, even though the level of ability of intake has fallen is wonderful. Many of the students have over-achieved through sheer hard work."

At Archers Court School, GCSE pupils achieved the best results ever, while headmaster Stuart Alcock described himself as "over the moon" about the A level results.

The GCSE average points score was 30.5. Twenty nine per cent achieved five or more A-C passes while 90 per cent attained five or more at A-G.

For more than two A-levels, the average points score was 16.

Dover Grammar School For Boys achieved a "middle of the field" performance compared to other grammar schools in Kent.

Headmaster Neil Slater said, "this was not as good as last year, but fine".

The GCSE average points score was 56.4, with 92 per cent of boys achieving five or more subjects at grades A-C and 100 per cent at A-G.

Average points for more than two As was 18.8.

Mr Slater described the tables as "a very crude comparison: The school was increasingly using "value added measures" to more appropriately gauge pupils' performance.

This involves judging children's attainment on joining the school and monitoring and comparing their achievement as time passes.

St Edmund's Catholic School scored 37.7 average GCSE points, with 29 per cent of five or more A-C grades and 95 per cent A-G.

Its average points score for more than two As was 13.1.

Headmaster Chris Atkin said challenging targets were set each year on individual students' prior attainment. He was delighted by the results of all students, whether in SATS at-Key Stage 3, GCSE, or A level.

The number of students achieving top GCSE results had risen and the average points for A levels had -'increased by nearly 50 per cent on the 1999 results.

Mr Atkins said: "At GCSE it was particularly pleasing to see a significant increase in students achieving good grades in maths and science.

The average points at GCSE remains close to the national average: