Students look set to make it a record year

7:00am Thursday 21st August 2008

STUDENTS are expected to achieve record-breaking GCSE results today.

Early indications suggest schools will achieve their best-ever results.

Cllr Cliff Morris, leader of Bolton Council, said: “Early indications are that this year’s results look quite promising. I would, of course, like to thank the many teachers across Bolton for their hard work and congratulate all pupils on their achievements.

“Whatever the individual results, there is an abundance of educational opportunities for young people to help them set their goals and achieve their full potential in the years to come.”

A snap-shot of the borough’s secondary schools shows results have improved significantly on last year and that targets have been met or exceeded.

Head of Turton School in Bromley Cross, John Porteous, said: “Turton is celebrating its best-ever year of GCSE success, smashing all previous records in an outstanding performance. I am incredibly proud of the students and staff who have achieved such an improvement in performance.

“This is a day of celebration for students, and not a day to say exams are getting easier. In fact, exams in some subjects have been changed, with less coursework and are more rigorous.”

Results at George Tomlinson School in Kearsley are also expected to improve on last year. Headteacher Rachel Glazebrook said: “Those students who can count English and maths among their five GCSEs are expected to be in line with the Government target. The GCSE results are going to be really good. We are pleased with the performance of our students.”

Phil Mather, head of Withins School in Breightmet, said: “Among the subjects in which results are up is science, which this school places a great emphasis on and a subject which the Government is keen to see more young people study.”

schaudhari@theboltonnews.co.uk