On behalf of the Archbishop we are delighted to congratulate the pupils at the secondary schools and colleges across the diocese for their successful summer exam results. Pupils in Years 11 and 13 have so much to be proud of. We wish every success to those who have gone off to university, apprenticeships or the world of work. Similarly, to those who have started their 6th Form studies, we hope that the next two years go well for you.
This was the first set of externally assessed public examinations since 2019. During the autumn various data has been published. Recently the Progress 8 details for maintained schools have been announced. Progress 8 is one of the indicators of the academic progress from the end of primary school to when pupils finish secondary education. Eleven schools within the Archdiocese of Southwark are among the top 10% of schools in England for pupil progress. Another seven schools are listed among the top 30% of schools. This means that pupils were on average achieving over half a grade better at their GCSEs that expected. At The Holy Cross School (New Malden), Sacred Heart Catholic School (Camberwell) and St Thomas the Apostle College (Nunhead) it was over one whole grade better.
Almost all of the secondary schools in the diocese are in the top 50% of schools nationally for the progress of pupils. Equally impressive is the data that is gradually emerging of the positive impact of our schools for pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds. We are very proud of the contribution of the staff at all our schools for the work they do to create excellent learning opportunities and the consequent exam success for the pupils entrusted to them.
