As pupils start to prepare to sit their GCSE exams, new research has revealed the areas across England that have seen the most improvement in GCSE results since lockdown, with Salford coming out on top with a 5.9% increase in scores from 2018/19 to 2023/24.
The study conducted by Teachers To Your Home, which provides qualified teachers for tuition, evaluated Department for Education (DfE) data from 2018/19 to 2023/24 to identify the areas that have seen the biggest improvement as well as decline in Attainment 8 average scores¹ since before lockdown.
Salford’s Attainment 8 score has risen from 39.3 for the 2018/19 period to 41.6 for the 2023/24 period, resulting in the 5.9 percentage change. Those achieving Grade 5 or above in English and Maths GCSEs also increased from 32% (2018/19) to 37% (2023/24).
The DfE data shows that 95 local authorities saw a drop in GCSE scores from 2018/19 to 2023/24, with just 55 either staying the same or seeing an improvement. The study found that the national average Attainment 8 score in 2023/24 was 46.2, slightly lower than 46.7 in 2018/19.
Working towards Salford becoming a UNICEF Child-Friendly City is a priority in the council’s corporate plan, to ensure Salford is a great place for children and young people to grow up and have quality opportunities. As part of this commitment, the council will continue to work closely with local schools to ensure all Salford children have access to the highest quality education.
In addition, with evidence showing that excellent attendance at school is important to ensure positive experiences and futures for children and young people, the School Attendance Strategy sets out the council’s plans until 2026. This aims to offer help and support to school partners and children in the city so they attend, enjoy and achieve at school.
Councillor Jim Cammell, Lead Member of Children’s Services at Salford City Council said: “This positive improvement recognises the efforts of Salford students, teachers and support staff, schools, parents and carers as well as our Children’s Services team and partner organisations. Well done to all involved in helping to achieve this.
“Working together with partners including schools, colleges, the university, voluntary and community groups, and most importantly, children and young people themselves, we will continue to ensure the voices, needs and priorities of children are a central part of everything we do.
“This will include investing an additional £1.3 million into school improvement as part of the council’s Corporate Plan 2024 to 2028, to raise attainment and ensure children leave school equipped for employment, training or further education.”
GCSE results day will take place on Thursday 21 August and schools will issue their own instructions on how and when students can collect their results.
Post-16 education and training information can be found on the Salford City Council website.
¹ Attainment 8 is a measure of a pupil’s average achievement across their best eight GCSE-level qualifications, with a maximum score of 90.
