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All Hallows turns tables on school league placings

Ailsa Cranna
27/ 1/2003

THE publication of the national secondary school performance tables and saw a bag of mixed fortunes for Salford.

St Ambrose Barlow RC High in Swinton has grabbed the top slot with 65 per cent of pupils gaining five or more A-C GCSEs in 2002.

This is a massive leap from their 51 per cent the previous year and puts them well ahead of the 35.9 per cent city-wide average and the England average of 51.5 per cent.

A jubilant head Bill Livesey said the secret of their success was based on the firm foundation of an excellent Ofsted four years ago. "This is not something we have achieved overnight," he said. "We have a dedicated team of workers right across the board and, following the Ofsted, seized every opportunity handed to us to better ourselves."

These chances included specialist technology college status - they are currently planning a bid for stage two of that scheme - and high profile involvement in schemes such as Investors in People.

Close monitoring of students hovering on the C-D GCSE borders has tipped them in the right direction. He added that not being complacent has meant the school is ever vigilant about standards.

"We achieved excellent results in the Key Stage Three SATS test last summer, which the government regard as a sure indication that pupils coming up for GCSEs are on the right path."

Also basking in a golden glow is All Hallows RC High, on Weaste Lane. The school has yanked itself up from 13 per cent 5 A-Cs in 2001 to 36 per cent last year. In addition, the school's 4 per cent of pupils who didn't gain a GCSE in 2002 was lower than Salford's average and the national 5.4 per cent.

This, said head Stuart Almond, was proof they had got over the rocky period when the school was formed from an amalgamation of Our Lady of Mount Carmel and Pope John Paul II.

"We said things would get better but people didn't believe us," he said. "Now perhaps they will. Now we are on the way up, we aim to maintain improving standards."

Not so lucky this time round but prepared to come out fighting is bottom placed Wentworth High School. The Wentworth Road, Eccles school achieved 21 per cent five A-C passes, a drop from 32 per cent in 2001.

Head Nigel Harrop admitted the year had been "particularly challenging" from Year Seven onwards. "We had expected a drop but not one of 10 per cent," he admitted.

"However, those students achieved well within their own targets. In addition, the passes included three students who got nine or more A-Grade passes - in fact, one got 10, nine of them A-starred and that's the best ever for the school."

Mr Harrop pointed to the value added section, which indicates how well the 13-14 age group are doing - and how well they are likely to do in GCSEs. "We achieved a 94.8 rating," he explained, "and that equates very well with other schools in Salford."

Lead member for education, Cllr Keith Mann said the city was pleased with improvements many schools had made.

"There have been some amazing success stories," he said. "We have kept pace with the rate of improvement nationally and funding is now in place for sustained improvements over the next few years and there is no reason why this cannot be achieved."

To see how each Salford school fared in the table, click here.