Highgate celebrates another record GCSE year

Schools in Highgate have today reported another year-on-year increase in the numbers of pupils passing GCSEs as part of a national trend that saw 7 out of 10 GCSE results score a C grade or higher. In Islington, the A* to C grade pass rate was 74%, a rise of over 24% since 2007.

45 per cent of pupils at Highgate Wood school in Crouch End received at least five A* to C grades today, with particularly good results coming from the school's Music department where almost all pupils entered (93%) gained A* to C.

Independent Highgate School reported its best GCSE results to date, with 61% of the total results being an A* compared to 43% last year. The record results belong to the last all-male cohort of pupils at the school, which will be fully co-educational from next year.

St Aloysius RC College improved upon its outstanding 2009 results, in which 89% of students received 5 or more A* to C grades (68% including English and Maths). Head boy at St Aloysius', Beni Ngwamh, achieved all

A*s and As in his GCSEs and is going on to study maths, physics,

chemistry and French at A-level.  "My mum is really pleased," said Ben on results day. "She said was going to roll

out the red carpet for me!"

Councillor Richard Watts, Islington Council's executive member for children and young people, said, "These GCSE results are testament to the hard work of students, school

staff, parents and governors at our secondary schools.  Following on

from last week's improved A-level results in Islington, the figures

show that more than ever before, our schools are providing an excellent

education for young people in the borough and helping them to get the

best start in life."

This set of results is the first to be announced after the dropping of national tests at the end of Key Stage 3. UK-wide, the proportion of GCSE entries gaining A* to C grades has increased to its highest ever level of 69.1%.

The increase of 2 per cent from last year, the 23rd consecutive annual rise in pass rates, has fuelled predictable annual speculations that the exams are getting easier. But in an uncertain economy, many students and parents argue that 16-year-olds are working harder in order to continue in education.

Did you receive the results you wanted? What does the future hold in store now that exams are over? Do you agree that qualifications are getting easier? Have your say below!

Image: Collinson