New-style schools see rising standards

David Young Community Academy in Leeds, Barnsley Academy, Sheffield Park and Sheffield Springs were all established five years ago in an attempt to drive up standards in deprived areas.

Three of the four schools celebrated record pass rates yesterday and principals at each academy have hailed the progress students have made since they opened in 2006.

David Young Community Academy, in Leeds, saw almost half of its pupils achieve five good GCSE passes including English and maths – considerably higher than the Government’s minimum target of 35 per cent for all schools.

Its star students are now going on to study the international baccalaureate (IB) which the academy is running for some sixth-formers for the first time alongside A-levels.

Principal Ros McMullen said: “After speaking to university tutors we thought this was better than A-levels for preparing students for university, it promotes independent learning, innovators and entrepreneurs.”

Among the top achievers this year was Sizar Doski whose family fled Iraq nine years ago to escape the regime of Saddam Hussein.

The 16-year-old, who only learned to speak English after arriving into the UK as an eight-year-old, achieved four As, a B and four Cs. He will be joined on the IB course by Zackary Kershaw and Georgina Wise who also achieved a haul of A and B grades.

Georgina said: “Its been a great atmosphere – most people have got what they wanted.”

Barnsley Academy has again celebrated record results this year with 54 per cent of pupils achieving five A* to C passes including English and maths.

Last year the school saw 51 per cent achieve this which had been a massive increase on 2009 results when just 19 per cent made the grade.

Principal Dave Berry said: “These results build on our fantastic results last year and show that they were not a flash in the pan.”

Barnsley Academy is sponsored by the United Learning Trust – a Christian charity which also runs both Sheffield academies.

Sheffield Park became the first academy in the region to be placed in special measures in 2009 but has since been lifted out of the failing category.

This year it achieved its highest ever A* to C pass rate including English and maths as it hit the Government target with 35 per cent of pupils making the grade. Sheffield Springs results were down slightly at 31. 2 per cent.