9:34am Tuesday 19th January 2010
SUPERLEARNING sessions for pupils have seen results at Harper Green School rise so much, that it has been named one of the most improved in Greater Manchester.
The Farnworth school has jumped eight places up the GCSE league tables to number 12, and showed a staggering rise in its results with 40 per cent of pupils last summer achieving five or more good grades at GCSE, including English and maths — a 15 per cent increase on the previous year.
Assistant headteacher, Sara Cain, said: “There was elation and pride when we saw the results.
“We were disappointed with the previous results and headteacher Phil Stewart started putting strategies in place for the pupils to ensure they achieved and aimed higher.”
Harper Green School was also supported by the National Challenge, a Government-funded scheme to raise standards in Greater Manchester schools.
Fellow assistant headteacher, Janet Biltcliffe, added: “We have worked in partnership with the Challenge consultants, Bolton local authority and all the staff to analyse previous years’ results and build up a picture of exactly what support each child needed.
“The staff have done lots of mentoring with the pupils and monitored performance closely, sending letters of praise home for students who were making good progress.
“Our next challenge is to maintain this level of improvement and to build on these results to become even better.”
Initiatives to raise the attainment of young people at GCSE level start in year 10, when pupils are challenged to take exams earlier, while teachers put on extra classes both during and after school.
Assistant headteachers act as mentors for pupils who may be falling behind or not fulfilling their potential.
Samuel Berry, aged 16, said: “Last year’s GCSE results made us feel proud of the school, and hopefully we can beat them and do better.
“The teachers put on a lot of extra classes even in the holidays, to which pupils turn up to, and give us support. The teachers really motivate us and tell us what we need to do maintain high standards.”
Levi Carter, aged 15, said: “When teachers put on special classes it makes us feel worthwhile because they could be doing other things and it makes us work hard. Year 11 really support each other and the teachers often come into our common room so we can talk to them.”
Headteacher Phil Stewart said: “We are incredibly proud of the students. We have worked hard to improve our results in recent years and this success is a testament to the pupils and staff at the school, and our partners at the local authority and in the Greater Manchester Challenge team.”
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