GCSE joy for Hull schools

Secretary of State for Education Ruth Kelly today joined with Hull North MP Diana Johnson to congratulate Hull's schools, teachers and pupils for doubling the numbers of young people achieving five or more good GCSEs since 1997.

In 1997, just 21.4 per cent of pupils in Hull were achieving five good passes at GCSE. The latest figures show that Hull has continued to make huge strides with the number rising to 43.1 per cent in 2005 more than double the 1997 figure.

The new provisional figures mean that Hull is among the most improving local education authorities in the country.

Hull North Labour MP Diana Johnson said: "These latest figures are a tribute to the hard work of pupils and staff in Hull's schools and justifies the solid backing of Hull's local education authority and the Government.

"To see the numbers of our pupils gaining five good GCSEs going up each year since 1997 is very encouraging for Hull's future and shows that the Government's investment is making a difference to exam results.

"However, much more improvement is needed and future secondary education reforms must take the action needed to continue this progress in all our schools and among all our young people."

Secretary of State for Education Ruth Kelly said: "I congratulate the schools, teachers and pupils of Hull for their remarkable achievements.

"The results in Hull mirror the improvements we are seeing across the country. This year we have seen the biggest single jump in achievement at GCSE for a decade, along with increases in the number achieving highly in the key subjects of English and Maths.

"We are determined to build on this progress and to increase the opportunities

for all our young people. Our White Paper this week outlined the steps we will take to support schools in doing this."