Education boss delighted as Dudley schools come out top in Black Country GCSE result
Dudley's education chief has expressed his delight as the borough's schools recorded the best GCSE results in the Black Country.
Last year a total of 53.3 per cent of pupils in the borough achieved five or more A* to C-grades, including English and maths.
The authority was ranked 114th nationally, a decrease of 22 places on 2013, although school leaders say the fall is down to changes in the way exams are recorded rather than a drop in standards.
Councillor Crumpton, cabinet member for children, libraries and lifelong learning, said: "Despite a turbulent year with many changes in assessment and examinations at GCSE level, I'm delighted that Dudley schools and pupils continue to do well.
"There have been huge changes in the way GCSEs are examined this year and this has had an effect on the results of many schools up and down the country.
"However, it should be recognised that we have the best performing schools in the Black Country and we should celebrate the hard work of our students and teaching staff."
Oldswinford Hospital School recorded a 76 per cent pass rate for benchmark grades, while Redhill School achieved 70 per cent and Ellowes Hall Sports College and Windsor High School both achieved 69 per cent.
At the other end of the scale two schools plummeted below the Government's floor standard of 40 per cent.
The Holly Hall Academy was ranked the worst school in the borough with only 33 per cent of 146 pupils achieving the required grades, while at The Coseley School the figure was 36 per cent.
Education bosses in Worcestershire have hailed the 'great' achievements of GCSE pupils in the county.
GCSE performance tables revealed 58.5 per cent of Worcestershire students achieved five or more A*-C grades, including English and maths.
The result means the county finished above the national average of 56.6 per cent, resulting in a 55th place finish in the national tables.
Councillor Liz Eyre, Worcestershire County Council's cabinet member for children and families, said: "As we saw in the summer, GCSE students have done themselves proud and achieved a range of top marks.
"Today's figures have allowed us to compare ourselves to other authorities across the country and prove that Worcestershire schools are achieving great results for their students."
