RECORDS were broken at schools across York on GCSE results day 2018 against a backdrop of a huge shake-up of the grading system.

The results follow significant changes in the grading system in the last two years, which saw numbers 9-1 introduced in English language, English literature and maths last year, being rolled out to 20 more subjects this year.

At Huntington School the results were by far and away the best students have ever attained at the school with 83 per cent of pupils getting grade 4 or above for English and maths combined - it was 73 per cent last year.

Meanwhile at Millthorpe 66 per cent of students achieved passes at grade 4 or better in both English and maths; results improved by six per cent this year.

At Fulford 77.8 per cent of students achieved grade 4+ in English and maths.

Across York provisional results show that 70.6 per cent of pupils gained grade 4+ (or an old C) in English and maths which is expected to be above the national average.

Grade 5+ (equivalent to an old B) in English and maths are in line with last year’s results, and also expected to be above the national average.

Additionally, the average points score for six core subjects (known as the English Baccalaureate or EBacc) is 4.56 in York this year. Pupils who gain grade 9-4 in English, maths, two science subjects, a modern foreign language and a humanities subject achieve EBacc.

Cllr Keith Myers, executive member for education, said: “Once again young people across the city have achieved some truly excellent results. They have worked tirelessly, with the support of their schools, parents and carers, helping York to achieve some of the best GCSE results in the country. Creating a highly qualified, highly skilled workforce is critical to growing the city’s economy and I’m delighted that young people across the city have done so well.”

Jon Stonehouse, Director of Children’s Services, Education and Communities, City of York Council, said: “These results underline not only the hard work and dedication of our young people, but also the strength of the city’s schools and the quality of the teaching. I would like to offer my thanks and congratulations to everyone involved in achieving these tremendous results. Good luck on the next stage of your life journey.”

-SEE HOW EVENTS UNFOLDED DURING THE DAY ON THE LIVE BLOG-

Across the country, one in five UK GCSE entries scored at least an A grade - or 7 under the new grading system, up 0.5 percentage points on last year, according to data published by the Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ).

And about two thirds were awarded a C, or a 4, also up 0.5 percentage points compared with 2017.

In North Yorkshire early indications from schools show that the authority will be in the top quarter of local authorities nationally.

County Councillor Patrick Mulligan, North Yorkshire’s Executive Member for Schools, said: “GCSE results so far this year indicate a large proportion of students achieving passes at higher grades, and we must congratulate them for their success and hard work through a time of major change for the examination system.

“Our schools are very aware of the additional burden these changes have placed on our students and we work closely with schools to support the mental health and wellbeing of young people. These results, which stand our students in good stead for the future, are a real tribute to the dedication and commitment of staff for high quality teaching and pastoral support.”

Many East Riding schools are also celebrating their best ever GCSE results. Schools have improved the proportion of students achieving a standard pass or grade 4 or better in English and maths to 70 per cent. The proportion gaining grade 5 in 2018 is 48 per cent.

Jamie O’Brien, the council’s principal improvement adviser, said: “These results are a testament to the hard work of our young people, as well as the dedication and commitment of teachers and support staff in all our schools. We are proud of the accomplishments of young people throughout the East Riding - achieved with the support of their carers and families. We greatly appreciate the hard work of head teachers, teaching and support staff that have contributed to these impressive results.”

UNDER the biggest shake-up of exams in England for a generation, traditional A* to G grades have been scrapped and replaced with a 9 to 1 system, with 9 the highest grade.
Last year English and maths were marked using numbers for the first time, but the majority of subjects remained with the old grading system.
This year, 20 subjects were awarded the new-style grades – with a grade 7 broadly equivalent to an A under the old system, and a 4 broadly equivalent to a C.
As with the A-levels last week, coverage has also been hamstrung by new General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) rules which, though not intended to influence exam coverage, have had a significant impact with many York schools choosing not to submit their results to The Press for the first time.
Although the changes don’t stop local newspapers from sharing results, schools are now under an obligation to make sure that all pupils and their parents or guardians are aware as early as possible whether exam results will be made public and how this will be done. 

***** There will be a 12-page supplement and full coverage in the paper on Friday.