Thursday 20 October 2022

Outstanding exam performance data 

The government has just published performance data from this summer’s exams for all secondary schools, sixth forms and colleges. It is the first time that school exam data has been published since the start of the pandemic.

We are delighted that the exam results achieved by students at Keswick School are once again recognised as being significantly higher than both the local authority average and the national average. This reflects the high-quality curriculum on offer at Keswick School and the rigour with which our students are prepared for their public exams. The data published for the school is:

Progress 8 score = 0.33 (significantly above average)

This compared to the Cumbria state-funded schools average progress 8 score of -0.18

Attainment 8 score = 57.9.  This compares to the local authority average of 47.4

Grade 5 or above in English and Maths = 69%.  This compares to the local authority average of 46%

(88% of our students achieved a grade 4 or above in both English and Maths)

Entering the EBacc = 71%.  This compares to the local authority average of 31%

EBacc average point score = 5.54.  This compares to the local authority average of 4.13

This exam data is for a Year 11 cohort of 210 students. It reflects the outstanding attitude of our students over the last couple of years along with teaching staff who go the extra mile to ensure that every student is well supported.

Such results do not come about by chance. The secret is a friendly school community where students support each other to achieve but are also highly self-motivated and quietly competitive. Walking round the school exemplifies this culture. Considerate, kind young people who want to do the right thing and are proud of being part of the school. Staff who are experts at what they do but also care about the students to help them personally as well as academically. It is an atmosphere that can only be experienced in person on a typical school day

Failure is also accepted as part of learning. We teach our students that they need to fail in order to ultimately succeed. The result is well rounded, out-going, confident young people. That is why we regularly feature as one of the best non-selective state schools in the North West of England.

A-level results are equally as impressive and that is why we now have over 260 students in our Sixth Form with a huge array of A-level choices available. Virtually every student was accepted onto their first-choice university course in the summer and they have all been extremely well prepared for the transition to either university or an apprenticeship. We like to stay in touch with our former students and it is fitting that all our guest speakers at prize-giving evenings are all former students who have gone on to achieve remarkable things. Our next guest speaker is Dr Ben Pepper, who received his doctorate in Astrophysics from Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil

Our ambition is to achieve world class education standards and create the leaders of tomorrow, and we welcome anyone who shares the same philosophy to join us.

Simon Jackson (Head teacher) comments:
‘This year’s exam results reflect the achievements of our talented students and dedicated staff. Keswick School's ethos is to provide excellence and aspiration in a caring and happy school. We appreciate that, in addition to academic achievement, other qualities are equally likely to lead to success later in life. It is this ability to broaden horizons that continue to help our students develop into highly articulate, confident and successful young people.’