GCSE Outcomes in Hackney Borough Continue to Shine
Hackney Council has recently released data showing that GCSE outcomes in the borough have either matched or surpassed those of the previous year. This news comes as a welcome relief, especially in the face of nationwide pass rates for English and Maths that have seen a decrease compared to last year. Despite this dip in national averages, Hackney’s schools have managed to maintain their high standards.
According to a statement released by the Town Hall in August, the majority of schools in Hackney have seen 53 per cent of their pupils achieve a grade 5 or above in English and Maths. This figure is higher than the reported national average of 46 per cent, highlighting the exceptional performance of students in the borough. The council emphasized that Hackney’s schools continue to outperform the national average and have even exceeded pre-pandemic levels from 2019.
A council spokesperson further elaborated on the positive outcomes, stating that results in Hackney are on par with or above those achieved in 2023, and notably higher than those from 2019. They highlighted the fact that in every secondary school in Hackney, over half of the students have attained a strong pass (Grade 5 or above) in GCSE English and Mathematics. Additionally, there has been a one per cent increase in the number of pupils obtaining grade 4 or higher in GCSE English, as well as an increase in the proportion of pupils receiving level 5 or higher in GCSE Maths.
The spokesperson explained that 2019 is used as a baseline year for comparison, as it was the last time before the pandemic that grades were solely based on examinations. In the subsequent years of 2020, 2021, and 2022, GCSE grades were determined through teacher assessment, leading to inflated results compared to pre-pandemic levels. The suspension of accountability and benchmarking during this period has also contributed to the discrepancy in outcomes.
Return to Normal Grading and Regional Disparities
This year, the qualifications regulator Ofqual directed examiners to revert to “back to normal” grading, marking the end of a two-step process aimed at returning schools to pre-pandemic marking standards. This shift has likely had an impact on the overall outcomes seen in Hackney and across the country, as students and teachers adapted to a more traditional assessment approach.
In a report by the BBC, it was noted that the regional results gap between the north and south of England had widened, with London maintaining its position as the best-performing part of the UK. With 72.5 per cent of entries marked at a grade 4/C or above, London continues to set a high bar for academic achievement. This disparity in regional outcomes underscores the importance of targeted interventions and support for students in areas where performance may be lagging behind.
Looking Ahead: Continued Success and Support
As Hackney celebrates another year of strong GCSE outcomes, the focus now shifts to sustaining this success and providing ongoing support for students as they progress through their educational journey. The council’s commitment to excellence in education is evident in the consistent performance of schools in the borough, and efforts will continue to ensure that every student has the opportunity to achieve their full potential.
In conclusion, the latest GCSE results in Hackney are a testament to the hard work and dedication of students, teachers, and staff in the borough. Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic and changes in assessment methods, schools in Hackney have risen to the occasion and delivered impressive outcomes. With a focus on maintaining high standards and supporting students in their academic pursuits, Hackney looks set to continue its trajectory of success in the years to come.