Children's Services leaders in the City of York have welcomed government figures released today [13 January], which show that York schools are continuing to excel at Key Stage 4.

The Key Stage 4 Achievement and Attainment tables show that many York schools achieved their best-ever results and are performing well above national averages. There has also been real individual pupil success.

The tables show that in the academic year 2008/09, 73 per cent of young people in York achieved five or more A* to C grades, an improvement of nearly 5 percentage point compared to 2008. The percentage of pupils gaining five or more A*-C grades, including English and Maths GCSE, is 59 per cent, an increase of over 5 percentage points. This result places York in the top 10 per cent of local authorities in England.

The Achievement and Attainment tables also include a 'contextual value added' measure, which shows the progress made by pupils between Key Stage 2 and Key Stage 4 compared to similar ability pupils nationally. In more than half of York schools, the progress of pupils was greater than similar pupils nationally. In particular, York High School and Burnholme Community College are to be congratulated.

Post-16 Achievement and Attainment tables have also been released today and the results show that York's four post-16 schools are making continuous and sustained improvement and performing very well in relation to national averages.
Pete Dwyer, director of Learning, Culture and Children's Services, City of York Council said, "I am delighted with our Key Stage 4 and post-16 results and to see so many schools improving on last year's performance. I would like to congratulate all the young people and schools on their achievement this year. These are our best ever results and are a real tribute to the hard work and dedication of teachers, pupils, staff and parents."