School's '˜top marks' for improvement

Staff and pupils are celebrating after discovering the academy has made the biggest leap in grades compared to the other 80 schools across the county.

59 per cent of students gained at least five A* to C Grades including English and Maths – a huge 12 per cent increase on their previous year, which saw 47 per cent of kids get at least five top grades.

Headteacher Stephanie Dyce said: “The staff here are all very proud of these results.

“This demonstrates the hard work that goes on every day at this school, by both the students themselves and the staff who support them.

“To see Hall Park getting the recognition for this achievement is pleasing.

“However, we are not complacent, we don’t feel that the job is now complete here.

“We continue to strive for further improvements and hope to build on this excellent foundation with our current students this year.”

And not only is the school the most improved, but Hall Park is in the top five schools in North Nottinghamshire with their 2015 grades.

The other schools in the top five were the Tuxford Academy which managed to get 67 per cent of students at least five A* to C grades.

All Saints Catholic Voluntary Academy in Mansfield also had 67 per cent of students getting the high grades, Outwood Academy Valley in Worksop beat the benchmark with 77 per cent and Outwood Academy Portland in Worksop was the very top performing school in North Nottinghamshire, with 81 per cent of pupils achieving at least five top grades.

The national average across all schools in England was 53.8 per cent.

The national Government’s target is to ensure at least 40 per cent of pupils gain at least five A* to C grades.

From next year, all schools will be measured that way.

According to the recent league tables, all but six of North Nottinghamshire secondary schools managed to beat this target.

Over 80 per cent of students at Hall park Academy also made three levels progress in English. The league tables are published by the Department for Education.

Marion Clay, acting service director for education, standards and inclusion at Nottinghamshire County Council said: “Nottinghamshire schools, like many others nationally, witnessed a significant amount of re-marks which has seen results for five GCSE A* to C including English and maths being in line with state funded schools nationally, and three per cent above all schools which includes independent schools.

“We remain committed to working with all schools, academy sponsors and Teaching School Alliances to ensure children and families have access to the highest quality education. It is our ambition, along with schools across the county, that achievements at the end of Key Stage four will continue to increase.”