Help urged for pupils as GCSE results reveal gap in region's performance

Thousands of students in the region collected exam results yesterday, with performance improving across Yorkshire and the Humber. But there is still a seven per cent gap over pass rates, and eight per cent at top grade, when compared to London.

“We need to concentrate on closing that gap in terms of attainment,” said Henri Murison, director of the Northern Powerhouse Partnership. “There is a need for government to do a lot more. There are just as many young people who go to Yorkshire schools who could – and should –be getting these A grades.”

This, he added, was an opportunity for government to focus on quick wins such as a centre for excellence in the region to share examples of good practice.

A spokesman for the Department for Education said it was focused on improving academic standards nationwide, with rising numbers of pupils in good or outstanding schools and a shrinking attainment gap: “Our pupil premium funding – worth £2.4 billion a year – is specifically helping disadvantaged pupils, and we are committed to driving up school standards in the North, investing more than £70 million in projects across the region to do just this.”