OLDHAM'S secondary schools have been rated for their pupil progress and attainment in the latest league tables.

Data released by the Department of Education for 2016/2017 showed that four Oldham secondary schools were rated as "well below average" in the Progress 8, while five were rated average.

The Blue Coat School and Hathershaw College were both rated as above average while Oldham Academy North was the only Oldham secondary to be named "well above average".

Chris Davis, Headteacher at Oldham Academy North, said: "On behalf of our students, parents and staff, I would like to say how proud I am of our results and progress.

"These results are a benchmark for the school and something we will look to build on going forward. 

"The energy and efforts of the staff, particularly in the run up to exams, was fantastic and they went above and beyond for pupils.

"Our student group were also incredibly hard working and it shows how much you can achieve by working together."

He added that the school, part of the E-Act multi-academy trust, will be working with other academy trusts and schools to share knowledge and advice to further improve results.

Oldham's Greater Manchester University Technical College, which was closed down by the Government in 2017, recorded Oldham's lowest progress score of -1.79.

The GM UTC was closed due to low pupil numbers and resulting financial difficulties, but local politicians also pointed to terrible exam results and ongoing concerns about standards after none of its pupils passed their English or maths GCSE in 2016.

Progress 8 show how much progress pupils at a school made between the end of key stage 2 and the end of key stage 4, compared to pupils across England who got similar results at the end of key stage 2. 

This is based on results in up to 8 GCSE qualifications, which include English, maths, three English Baccalaureate qualifications (including sciences, computer science, history, geography and languages), and three other additional approved qualifications.

Progress 8 scores generally fall somewhere between minus -1 and 1 with a score above zero meaning pupils made more progress, on average, than pupils across England who got similar results at the end of key stage 2.

The Department of Education added that a negative progress score does not mean pupils made no progress, or the school has failed, only that pupils in the school made less progress than other pupils across England with similar results at the end of key stage 2.

Schools were also given an Attainment 8 score based on how well pupils have performed in up to eight qualifications, which include English, maths, three English Baccalaureate qualifications (including sciences, computer science, history, geography and languages), and three other additional approved qualifications.

Blue Coat and Crompton House recorded the highest per pupil Attainment 8 scores with 56.5 and 51.1 respectively.

Five further secondary schools –Saddleworth School, Hathershaw College, Oldham Academy North, North Chadderton School and Newman College – scored above the national average of 44.6.

After the GM UTC Royton and Crompton School scored the lowest scores in both pupil progress (-0.92) and Attainment (35.4).

Royton and Crompton headteacher Neil Hutchinson said: “The interim executive board, our current governing body, continues to challenge and direct the school strategically providing the leadership team with excellent experience and skills to test the progress against rigorous and challenging targets.

“Our current data is indicating a rising profile of attainment, in line with expectations. We realise to get to national standards from a low start point will take time.

“We are implementing changes in teaching and learning practice, leadership and in behaviour management.

"The main change is in the attitude and engagement of our students. They are more inspired to achieve and more willing to commit to their studies.

“The wider community is engaging with the school to make this improvement a reality.”

The maximum Attainment 8 score for a pupil taking only GCSE qualifications is 87 in 2017.

A pupil who achieves two grade 9s in the English and maths slots and six A* grades across the EBacc and open slots in qualifying subjects, would have a point score of 87.

Last summer pupils faced tougher new GCSEs in Maths and English, receiving grades of 9 to 1, with the larger number the higher grade. If a pupil has achieved a Grade 4, equivalent to the old C grade, or higher, they are said to have passed the new exams. All the other GCSEs were graded alphabetically as usual.

The Oldham Times: