Poor school results leads to 'review' of education in Doncaster

Doncaster council is planning a "root and branch review of education" following poor results for schools in the area.

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Published 21st Jan 2016

There's going to be a full review of education in Doncaster following poor performances from schools there.

It's after the latest Government figures revealed five out of nine schools and colleges in our region which are 'underperforming' were in that area.

That means they fall below the official minimum standards which asks for kids to get at least 5 good GCSE grades.

Doncaster council has told us the results are "not acceptable"

Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Schools, Cllr Nuala Fennelly, said:

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"Clearly the 2015 results for these five Academies are not acceptable. It is vital that the leadership of these schools address this underperformance as a matter of urgency and the Council will support them to do so.

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"Notwithstanding that we must also address the wider issue of low educational attainment and skills levels in Doncaster. Whilst there are some very successful teachers, schools and training establishments, overall we must do much better if we are to ensure that local people are able to access the new job opportunities that are being created in the borough.

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"We will therefore soon be announcing detailed plans for a root and branch review of education and skills in Doncaster, so that we can ensure local children and adults are able to gain the qualifications they need to secure a good job with good wages, and create a bright future for themselves and their families."

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Looking at the picture nationally Schools Minister Nick Gibb said the results, based on last summer's GCSE grades, show how far the nation has come in raising standards, but added that the Government will tackle the pockets of persistent under-performance''.

Overall, 329 schools did not meet the minimum benchmarks, five of these were in Doncaster, two in Barnsley and one each in Rotherham and Sheffield.

Rachel Smith, the Principal at Parkwood E-ACT Academy said:

"Our 2015 GCSE results were disappointing in that they did not maintain our upward trajectory from previous years. "We do not believe that the final outcomes were a true reflection on the dedication and commitment put in by students and staff and we look forward to reporting improved results in the forthcoming year."