Pupils' hard work not reflected in league tables, say Shropshire teachers
Headteachers have claimed the hard work of pupils in schools across Shropshire has not been recognised in the latest league tables.
They believe the decision by Mr Gove to include pupils' first exam results only in calculations for league tables has severely affected schools' standings. They have spoken of their "disbelief" and "frustration" following the publication of the tables on Thursday.
Lee Hadley, principal of Abraham Darby Academy in Madeley, Telford, said had resits been included 70 per cent of pupils at his school would have achieved five GCSEs at grade C or above including maths and English. According to the league tables, only 42 per cent achieved the target.
Sue Lovecy, headteacher of St Martins School in Oswestry which was judged to be the worst in the Shropshire Council area, said her school's results would have been higher had resits been included. She said many pupils at the school had been given the opportunity to enter exams early and then retake them to gain higher grades.
It comes after Alan Doust, headteacher of Bishop's Castle Community College, warned ahead of the publication of the league tables that the figures would not be an accurate reflection of individual schools' performances.
Mr Gove announced changes to the way league tables were calculated in September 2013 via an article in a national newspaper. Headteachers have claimed there was no consultation on the changes, which took immediate effect, and that many pupils had already been entered for exams in November which ultimately affected schools' results.
Previously a pupils' best result had been used to help calculate a school's performance in league tables.
Ms Lovecy said: "Many pupils at St Martins were given opportunity to enter examinations early and to retake examinations where they could gain higher grades," she said.
"The final examination results identify that pupils achieved more as a result of this policy and the overall school results are above the national floor standard.
"St Martins is a 3-16 learning community where outcomes for pupils are consistently good in the primary phase and where the new leadership team is securing substantial improvement in the secondary phase. Senior leaders and governors are confident that results in 2015 will be significantly better than in 2014 and confirm a three year improving trend for the school."
Mr Hadley has written an open letter to parents explaining his school's results.
He said: "In November 2013, 42 per cent of our pupils achieved a C grade or better in both English and maths. This is the figure in the published league tables.
"In the summer 2014 70 per cent of our pupils achieved both qualifications. That result is not in the tables. Ninety eight per cent of our pupils went on to further education or training.
"The feeling is one of frustration, indignation and disbelief that the hard work that pupils and staff have put in has been completely unrecognised.
"I think we do have to adapt and I have no real argument against adopting some of the changes but it was the pace of change and the speed with which we were required to respond to that."
