Every Kingswood pupil entered early for GCSE exams
EVERY GCSE pupil at a Hull school has been entered early for their maths and English exams to help improve results.
As a result, 20 per cent of year 11 pupils at Kingswood College of Arts, in Wawne Road, Bransholme, have passed both exams.
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From left, Sam Foster, Leisha Tomlyns, Jamie Hanson, Sarvenaz Khoramdareh, Samantha Fowler and James Hurd, who have passed their GCSE maths and English early at Kingswood College Of Arts.
They would not normally be sitting the tests until May.
The school decided to take the unusual step of entering every pupil so teachers could pinpoint exactly what each student needs to do to improve grades.
Every six weeks staff meet with deputy headteacher Loz Wilson to talk about progress with each pupil having a personal goal.
Early entry is common in many schools, however, for a school to put every pupil in for the exam is rare.
Mr Wilson said: "Every six weeks we have a learning cycle and so every six weeks I know where every pupil is.
"It is set up automatically so each pupil has a green, amber or red by them so we can see who has not made progress."
Last year 24 per cent of pupils at the school gained the Government benchmark of five A*-C grades at GCSE, including English and maths, compared to 10 per cent on the previous year.
According to Mr Wilson, the rigorous tracking of pupils will mean the school is set to hit its target of 31 per cent this summer.
Already 31 per cent of pupils have passed English, 27 per cent have passed maths and 20 per cent of the 173-pupil year group have passed both, with grades A* to C.
It means they will not need to sit their actual exams in May, unless they want a higher grade.
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by Seamus, 10 days adrift in an open knecked shirt
Monday, February 08 2010, 9:51PM
“Why work off my little bott?
Or bother to rise from me cot?
Wouldn¿t I be the fool
To work hard in school
Cause I won¿t get a ride on that yacht!”
by Parent, West Hull
Monday, February 08 2010, 9:19PM
“The forces do accept the BTEC courses as GCSE passes. My son is currently waiting for a start date for the RAF, having gained 10 A* -C grades last year at a Hull School. However, there is a block on all recruitment in the forces at the moment, 2 year wait for Navy, a year wait for RAF and some waiting for the Army. Maths, English, English Lanugage and Science, plus IT (all compulsory) will get the 5 grades required, although a lot of the trades in the forces only ask for 3, Maths, Englsih & Science. A word of warning though, the RAF don't accept the Public Services qualification from College as 2 A levels for officer entry!”
by Deputy, Head.
Monday, February 08 2010, 4:47PM
“Debbie - Your post should have read ... "Every pupil has the opportunity to gain 5 + A* - C grades at GCSE." However. not every pupil is able enough to, unfortunately!”
by Debbie, York
Monday, February 08 2010, 3:59PM
“Parent looking at an option form: every pupil is able to get 5+ A*-C, just by doing eng, maths and science. A BTec is then worth upto 6 gcse grades. Your childs option book should tell you what value each course is worth.”
by Parent, Looking at an options form.
Monday, February 08 2010, 3:38PM
“They may be recognised in higher education but not instead of the 5 grade A*-C GCSE's you need for the forces Well done to your son for getting into University.”