Wiltshire schools come out on top as more pupils achieve five good GCSE grades

Performance tables released by the Department for Education, show 60.5 percent of students in Wiltshire are achieving the benchmark GCSEs including English and maths which is higher than students nationally at only 57.1 per cent.

The number is an improvement of nearly four per cent on last year’s figure.

In west Wiltshire, St Augustine’s Catholic College came out on top, with 77 per cent of their pupils achieving five or more GCSEs A*-C including English and Maths.

Headteacher Joe Alsop said the result is a testament to the hard work of staff and pupils.

He added: “We are absolutely delighted with the exam outcomes and proud that the school has been ranked so highly in both Wiltshire and Bath and North East Somerset.

“Our students succeed because they are determined individuals with a great work ethic, who are taught exceptionally well, in a caring, family atmosphere. To be placed as one of the highest performing schools in the country is a great achievement for both the school and Wiltshire. As always, we strive to remain the hidden gem in the South West.”

St Laurence School in Bradford on Avon achieved 73 per cent, a figure which is down three per cent from last year, while Matravers in Westbury increased their figure from 48 per cent to 55 per cent of pupils achieving the benchmark.

The figures show that the grades of around 27,000 students are being made in 92 percent of schools which are good or outstanding.

Nearly a quarter of students also achieved the English Baccalaureate with good GCSEs in academic subjects including English, maths, sciences, language, and geography or history.

Laura Mayes, cabinet member for children’s services at Wiltshire Council said: “I’d like to congratulate our pupils for these excellent results and the schools for providing a thriving academic environment where our young people can excel – an important feature recognised by Ofsted.”