At this time of year, although the excitement of August results days seems a long time in the past, it has become customary to share some of the headline outcomes from the summer’s exams.
At A level, the percentage of A*, A*-A and A*-C grades achieved within the Foundation remains significantly higher than the national average. In Level 3 vocational qualifications, King Edward VI Handsworth Wood Girls’ Academy and King Edward VI Sheldon Heath Academy both achieved an average grade of a distinction, while in the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme, King Edward’s School achieved strong results well above the international average.
At GCSE, when compared to national averages, the academy trust continues to perform very well, especially when considering the percentage of grades awarded at grade 7 or above – 44.6% compared to 21.8% nationally. Furthermore, the national grade 9-5 in English and Maths percentage this year is 47%, compared to 72.3% for King Edward VI schools on average. Attainment 8 has increased in a number of schools and King Edward VI Balaam Wood Academy and King Edward VI Northfield School for Girls have seen big increases in headline scores. While there is no Progress 8 this year, projections from those schools with baseline data show strong progress. At both GCSE and A level, results at King Edward VI High School for Girls were extremely impressive.
There will be much more discussion of these results as Level 3 Value Added scores become available and we delve more into the performance of groups. As always, there will be consideration of areas for development and how to do address them. However, the efforts of staff and students leading to the maintenance of outcomes from a high starting point should be recognised and applauded.
Amid successes it is important to recognise challenges. Many of us were affected by the recent data breach at a third-party supplier to Online SCR. We continue to update our FAQs on the Foundation website, recognising that such incidents are concerning for those involved. Given how widespread such cyber threats are for all types of organisations, in this edition of Foundation News, there is some additional information about what we can all do to try to maximise security.
Finally, in July the Foundation and Academy Trust Boards approved a new strategic framework for the organisation for 2026 to 2031 with a series of development priorities for education and enabling priorities to support them. Over the coming months, we will be sharing more information about them as we begin the planning process for achieving them.
