Attainment

There have been significant improvements in educational attainment and progression in Newcastle in recent years. In 2009:

 

Level 4

70% of 11 year olds reached level 4 or above in English and maths, compared with 72% nationally. This compares with a gap of 7 percentage points in 2005.

 

GCSE
73% of 16 year olds achieved 5 or more GCSEs or equivalents graded A*-C compared with 70% nationally.  41.9% of 16 year olds achieved 5 or more A*C grades at GCSE or equivalent including English and maths compared with 49.8% nationally.

 

Education and work-based learning
Participation in education and work-based learning at age 17 has steadily increased in Newcastle to 86% in 2009, higher than the national average, similar areas and the highest rate of core cities. Achievement of level 2 qualifications (5+ GCSEs at grades A*-C or equivalent) by the age of 19 has steadily increased from 58.7% in 2004 to 70.6% in 2008. Newcastle’s rate of improvement is greater than the national rate during the same period and the gap has narrowed from 7.7% points in 2004 to 2.4% points in 2008.

 

Level three qualifications
Achievement of Level 3 qualifications by the age of 19 has steadily increased in Newcastle from 37.6% in 2004 to 42.9% in 2008. Newcastle’s rate of improvement is broadly in line with the national rate during the same period.

 

We are currently facing a very challenging economic downturn with unemployment expected to impact disproportionately on young people. Closing the gap for underachieving groups is the key to improving life chances for all young people. We are making a difference through a proactive approach to supporting our schools throughout the city and particularly in areas where it is needed most.  There is a sharp focus on support and challenge for quality learning and teaching throughout the age range and for English and Maths in particular.

 

Training for Assessing Pupil Progress (APP) means teachers are becoming more confident in assessing pupils formatively and planning is better targeted. 84% of pupils receiving one to one tuition in primary schools made at least one level of progress in English or Maths this last year.

Attainment and performance in Newcastle schools (external link)

 

Related information

School and related information
Early years
14 - 19 learning
University of the First Age (UFA) (external link)
Libraries
Assessing Pupils Progress

Contact

Ian Lane
Head of School Improvement
Phone: 0191 232 8520
Email: ian.lane@newcastle.gov.uk