NEW figures show that 2011 was another excellent year for GCSE results in Kirklees.
A total of 59.3% of students achieved the government’s benchmark figure of 5+A* – C passes, including English and mathematics, moving Kirklees above the national average of 58.2% for the first time.
Many Kirklees schools registered their best ever results and an amazing 10 schools, including Almondbury, Castle Hall Mirfield, Holmfirth, Shelley and Thornhill, improved by 10% or more.
Top of the class for improvement were Newsome, Moor End, Spen Valley, Colne Valley and Mirfield Free Grammar.
Heckmondwike Grammar was the top selective school in Kirklees with 100% and Mirfield Free Grammar was the top comprehensive school with 76%. Overall, the Kirklees performance rose by 6.5% – better than the average rise nationally of 4.8%.
Disadvantaged students fared well, with 38.3% achieving the benchmark in Kirklees. This is 4.4% above the national figure.
Clr Cath Harris, Cabinet member for Children and Families, said: “Year on year, the achievements of young people in Kirklees are a credit to all concerned.
“It is really excellent news that local GCSE performance has risen by 6.5%, well ahead of the national average.
“The results in Kirklees compare very favourably with those of neighbouring authorities and our level of achievement at A-level is also very impressive.”
Calderdale schools also performed well, with several above the national average.
Results for Calderdale schools which have a number of pupils from the Huddersfield area are seen in the table above.