Threatened Wycombe schools "not in clear" (From Bucks Free Press)

Threatened Wycombe schools "not in clear"

2:23pm Thursday 21st August 2008 in

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TWO Wycombe schools threatened with closure by the Government were unable to be in the clear with today's results - but the district's grammars again soared.

Cressex Community School saw 30 per cent of its pupils bring in five GCSEs grades A* to C including Maths and English.

Schools under 30 per cent were warned to improve or eventually close by schools minister Ed Balls in June - to the fury of heads.

But head David Hood said he expected the school to still fall under the controversial "National Challenge" programme.

And Highcrest Community School said it expected to be above 30 per cent - but could not confirm this because of an error by exam markers.

However, it was stunning news for the district's grammar schools - all got 99 or 100 per cent in the key score.

Cressex's Mr Hood said: "I think we will still be working with the National Challenge and enjoying the support it brings. It will be clearer in the autumn. The results are very encouraging."

Highcrest maths results had not taken into account coursework - 20 per cent of the final grade - said deputy head Maureen Oddie, so the school did not have an overall score.

Yet she said: "It appears we have surpassed the 30 per cent threshold.

"We are delighted - they are fantastic results for our students."

In other state schools St Bernard's Catholic School went from 38 to 50 per cent, Wye Valley 34 to 35 per cent and Holmer Green 58 to 54 per cent.

Royal Grammar School head Roy Page said the score - one per cent up on last year - came as part its "best results ever".

Mr Page, who said 78 per cent of grades got A* or A, said: "It's down to two things - the commitment and dedication of the staff, and the hard work and determination of the boys."

Wycombe High got 99 per cent. Head Jane Wainwright said: "Last year was a record year and these results are even better."

John Hampden Grammar went up four per cent while Marlow's Sir William Borlase's went from 99 to both achieve 100 per cent.

At Great Marlow School 50 per cent of pupils got the results, three per cent down on last year.