MP gives top marks to Hull schools

Hull North MP Diana Johnson today welcomed the publication of new data on the success of Hull's secondary school pupils.

The new information released today shows an increase of 27.8% in the number of pupils getting five good GCSEs since 1997.

Diana Johnson MP said: "I have written to Hull North schools congratulating pupils and staff on these fantastic GCSE results.

"These figures show that in Hull 27.8% more pupils get five good GCSEs each year than when Labour came to power in 1997. Nine years of progress has made Hull one of the most improving areas for education in the country. While further progress is clearly needed in the key subjects of maths and English, more young people are getting the qualifications needed for a good start in life.

"The improvement since 1997 shows what teachers, pupils and parents can achieve with support from a Government that makes education the highest priority. It is vital for Hull's economic future that we continue giving education the top priority.

"In Parliament, I have always voted for more money for schools and more help for teachers to do their job. Meanwhile, the Lib Dems and Tories have opposed every Labour Budget increasing investment in schools that has made improvement possible.

"The latest Tory plans to cut spending by £21 billion would slash investment in schools and unravel the progress we have made since 1997. The Lib Dems' muddled spending plans would have a similar result.

"In Hull we can all see the changes that are happening to local schools since 1997. Class sizes are down. There are 170 more secondary school teachers and 350 more teaching assistants.

"Over the next few years, every Hull secondary school building will be completely refurbished under Labour's £220 million Building Schools for the Future programme. That is the kind of real commitment that makes a real difference for young people in Hull."

Jim Knight MP the Schools Minister added: "I would like to congratulate school staff, pupils and parents on these excellent results which show improvements across the board. The last few weeks have seen a range of pessimists criticise our schools and teachers, describing even quickly improving schools as failing.

"In actual fact, the results today show that fewer schools are failing their pupils with a record proportion of children leaving with five good passes, including English and maths, and more children are hitting the highest grades."