Comprehensive schools continued improvement

23 August 2007

Commenting on the GCSE results published today (Thursday 23 August), Steve Sinnott, General Secretary of Britain’s biggest teachers’ organisation, the National Union of Teachers, said:

“Once again, the hard work of young people and their teachers has shown improving results and they are to be congratulated. This is particularly true for comprehensive schools which are achieving greater improvement than other schools.

“Grammar and private schools are highly selective, rejecting those they believe will not perform as well. At these schools, improvement has levelled off.

“Comprehensive schools take pupils of all abilities. The achievement of their pupils continues to improve at a higher rate.

“Since GCSE was introduced the number of young people getting A* to C grades has doubled when compared with the O- level pass rate. This is a success story for our education system and should be celebrated rather than denigrated.

“GCSE remains a high quality qualification for young people and acts as a guide to future career prospects. It remains highly relevant and valuable to all.”