Merton maintained schools are celebrating after another good year for GCSE results.

 Students from St Mark’s Church Academy celebrate their results at with Deputy Mayor, Councillor Geraldine Stanford, Cllr Caroline Cooper and School Principal Lisa Peterkin.

71% of Merton students have gained grades 9 – 4 in both English and maths, which  is once again well above the 2017 national average of 59%.

This year has seen even more changes in GCSEs in England, with around 90% of exams becoming more challenging. The grades obtained by students were expressed as 9 (the highest) to 1, instead of A* to G. Grade 4 and above is broadly equivalent to a C and above. Despite the raised expectations Merton schools have again demonstrated excellent results.

There were also strong and improved outcomes in the English Baccalaureate or ‘EBacc’ (grade 4 or above in English and mathematics, in science subjects, history or geography and a language) with 37% of Merton students attaining these grades, keeping Merton well above the national average of 22% last year.

• Students at Ursuline improved their performance and were well above the 2017 national average, with 85% achieving grades 9 – 4 in English and maths, and 56% of students achieving the EBacc.
• At Raynes Park students also improved their performance, with 64% achieving grades 9 – 4 in English and maths, which is above last year’s national average of 59%.
• At Wimbledon College, 77% of students achieved grades 9 – 4 in English and maths, and 43% achieved the EBacc, which is again above last year’s national averages.
• At Ricards Lodge, 66% of students achieved grades 9 – 4 in English and maths, and 39% achieved the EBacc, both of which are above last year’s national averages.
• 70% of Rutlish students achieved grades 9 – 4 in English and maths and 33%, achieved the EBacc, again above last year’s national averages.
• At St Mark’s Academy, the proportion of students achieving the EBacc increased by 8% to 23%, which is above last year’s national average.

Merton Council’s Deputy Mayor, Councillor Geraldine Stanford who at the St Marks when students opened their results said: “I would like to congratulate all our pupils who received their GCSE results yesterday. We have seen some excellent results this year, which is down to the hard work of the pupils and the support from the dedicated teaching staff and the families who help them achieve their full potential.”

Merton Council’s Cabinet Member for Education, Councillor Caroline Cooper-Marbiah added: I am delighted that provisional figures show 71% of young people gained grades 9 – 4 in both English and maths, well above the national average. Despite the increased challenges faced because of the changes to GCSEs, pupils have worked hard and excelled across all subjects. With secondary schools in Merton performing so well, and the borough cementing its reputation as a great place for families, more parents are choosing to live in the borough and send their children to our local comprehensives.”

On the back of the improved GCSE results, the council eagerly awaits the publication of the ‘Progress 8’ scores in October, by the Department for Education, which ranked Merton schools first in the country last year. The Progress 8 scores identify students’ progress measured across eight subjects.

-ENDS-

Notes to Editor:

• Harris academies in the borough do not submit their provisional results for inclusion in Merton Council results data, so Merton averages cited do not take into account outcomes from the Harris academies