GCSE results … and 9,000 sixteen year olds

Jonathan Craig - MLA and chair of the board of governors of Laurelhill Community College

(Blog posts are better when they cover one idea at a time. This follows on from the previous post about the Belfast Telegraph’s coverage of Laurelhill Community College’s inspection report.) The front page of the Laurellhill Community College website links to a news item from August which – while omitting any figures – explains: the number of pupils being awarded the highest GCSE grades A* to C has risen again in Laurelhill Community College. It was particularly pleasing to see …

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Which hat is a politician wearing when they speak? Readers need context.

Jonathan Craig - MLA and chair of the board of governors of Laurelhill Community College

An article in Wednesday’s Belfast Telegraph [not online] (that made it onto the front page by the evening edition) drew attention to the latest Education and Training Inspectorate report on Laurelhill Community College in Lisburn. Lindsay Fergus reported that: A sixth secondary school in greater Belfast has been placed under special measures after being found to be inadequate by Government inspectors. Laurelhill Community College was criticised for “inadequate” standards achieved by key stage four pupils. The percentage of pupils achieving …

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