GCSE results - how did your school fare?

63.4 per cent of Nottinghamshire pupils achieved five or more A* to C grades (including English and maths) in their GCSEs last summer according to final statistics released this week.

The national average is 59.2 per cent, a fall of 0.2 per cent on 2012 results

But the figures do not reflect individual school performance, with just five schools in the Chad circulation area beating the target from more than a dozen institutions.

Brunts, Garibaldi, Shirebrook Academy and All Saints’ all significantly out-performed the national trend - With Joseph Whitaker in Warsop coming top of the pile with an impressive 73 per cent of students achieving five or more A* to C grades (including English and maths).

Headteacher Rob Martlew said: “We are delighted with both our GCSE and A level results and are incredibly proud of our students. Everyone has worked so hard and they have been rewarded with outstanding grades.

“The school has achieved record results at both GCSE and at A level this year. This has not happened by accident and I would like to thank students and staff for everything that they have done. They have been relentless in their pursuit of success and are justifiably proud of what has been accomplished.”

Garibaldi College, in Forest Town achieved an impressive 67 per cent, narrowly beaten by Brunts with 68 per cent.

The new-look Shirebrook Academy managed 64 per cent, while All Saints’ Catholic School, in Broomhill Lane scored 65 per cent.

Meden School, Ashfield School and the Manor Academy all narrowly missed the target, scoring 59 per cent, 58 per cent and 57 per cent respectively.

Speaking of their performance, Garibaldi headteacher Chris James told Chad: “At Garibaldi College we are delighted with these outstanding exam results.

“We have been recognised as being in the top five per cent of all schools in the country in terms of the progress that our students have made.

“This is not just a great achievement for Garibaldi, but also something for the whole of Mansfield to be proud of. It shows what our young people can achieve with great teaching and a supportive learning environment. Well done to all students and staff.”

The official opening of the new-look Shirebrook Academy took place in December, six months after it opened its doors to pupils.

Developers took nearly two years to build the new £27m school, in Common Lane, which saw the 700-pupil academy co-locating with Stubbin Wood special school.

Derbyshire County Council leader Anne Western performed the official ribbon-cutting ceremony at the weekend, a month after she also officially opened the new Stubbin Wood facility on the same site.

Speaking about the GCSE results, headteacher Julie Bloor told Chad: “In my opinion league tables only show a narrow view of a school’s work and life. However, we are very pleased in terms of the value we add to our students and how well they progress while they are here.”

Meanwhile, Samworth Church Academy recorded 52 per cent of students achieving five A* to C grades (including English and Maths) - a one per cent improvement on 2012 and a significant rise from 41 per cent in 2010.

In June Chad reported how the Sherwood Hall Road school was told to up its game by Ofsted, after the inspectorate ruled that teaching required improvement.

The grade is the same level three as the last assessment but has now been changed from satisfactory to its current definition, under new rules imposed by education secretary Michael Gove.

Inspectors said teaching standards, particularly in English and maths, were not high enough because work was not set at the right level, especially for more talented pupils.

Marking was also criticised for not making required improvements clear, while subject leaders were told they did not check the quality of teaching, assessment and progress in their areas often or thoroughly enough.

Elsewhere Kirkby College achieved 53 per cent of students achieving five A* to C grades (including English and maths) - a significant rise from 37 per cent in 2012.

Sutton Centre achieved 44 per cent, while Bolsover School achieved 42 per cent, and Queen Elizabeth’s Academy, in Chesterfield Road South managed just 34 per cent - 25 percentage points below the national average.

The county-wide figures were to an extent massaged by the achievements of high-performing schools in some of the counties leafier suburbs - with Carlton le Willows Academy achieving 83 per cent, Southwell’s Minster School 85 per cent, Rushcliffe School 88 per cent, while West Bridgford School scored 93 per cent.

Speaking about the county-wide upward trend John Slater, service director for education standards, said: “We aim to ensure that pupils receive the best possible support in relation to core subjects which will result in greater success for the more vulnerable learners embarking on GCSE courses.”

He added: “Nottinghamshire County Council remains committed to working in partnership with all schools across the county to ensure children and families have access to the highest quality education.”