Big gains made by some schools

The 2010 Achievement and Attainment Tables, which are published by the Department for Education, show that most of the town’s secondary schools have improved on the previous year’s GCSE results, while some have made huge progress.

Some schools saw their results in the key performance indicator improve dramatically from last year.

Dorcan Technology College saw the largest increase with 52 per cent of pupils achieving five or more A* to C grades including maths and English, up 17 per cent. Swindon Academy continues to improve and the number of pupils who achieved five or more A* to C grades including maths and English increased from 26 per cent to 32 per cent.

And 64 per cent of pupils from The Commonweal School, Highworth Warneford School, and Wootton Bassett School achieved at least five grades A* to C including maths and English.

The Ridgeway School achieved 60 per cent, and St Joseph’s Catholic College achieved 55 per cent.

And 100 per cent of pupils at Churchfields School gained at least one GCSE qualification.

Attendance at the schools also improved and the percentage of pupils who are persistently absent reduced from four per cent in 2009 to 3.5 per cent in 2010, well in advance of the national target to achieve this level by 2011.

Bradon Forest was the top school in the Swindon area for the English Baccalau-reate with 24 per cent of students attaining it in 2010.

A level league tables were also out yesterday, and Wootton Bassett came out on top with an average point score of 795.3.

Farmors School in Fairford and New College followed closely behind, and the director of curriculum at New College, Chris Hale, said he was pleased.

“We are extremely proud of all the hard work and effort our students have put into achieving these grades. The success of our students is a reflection of their dedication to their studies, and is a tribute to the teaching and support here at New College,” he said.

• For the complete table see today's Adveriser.