A-level results show a downward trend in Halesowen and Sandwell (From Halesowen News)

A-level results show a downward trend in Halesowen and Sandwell

3:23pm Thursday 24th January 2013 in News

A-LEVEL results at Halesowen College are on a downward trend, with the average points score per student falling for the second consecutive year.

No students gained three A-levels at the highest measure recorded in the national performance tables of two As and a B and just 17 per cent passed three A- levels at grades A*-E.

Figures show 26 per cent gained two A-levels, while 30 per cent achieved one.

Average point scores per student have dropped from a 2010 high of 645.6 to 559.7 in 2012. They have also fallen nationally between 2011 and 2012.

Across Dudley borough 5.2 per cent of students gained three A-levels at AA and B, 2.2 per cent below the national average for state schools and colleges.

A fraction over 45 per cent of borough students achieved two A-levels compared to a national average of 60.7 per cent and 47.7 per cent passed one A-level compared 65.2 per cent nationally.

The college is currently embroiled in a bitter dispute with the University and College Union over the sacking of four maths lecturers over the continued underperformance of their department.

Principal Keith Bate said staff had made “exceptional progress” in increasing performance and attainment and support to students who may fall short of expectations had proven effective.

He said: “Where there are any exceptions to a picture of strong performance being maintained across the college, it is vital that action plans are put in place with additional support and resources in order to prepare students to achieve expected levels of attainment.”

With reference to the troubled maths department, Mr Bate added the college “will not condone consistent failure to deliver expected standards of performance.”

Cradley Heath’s Ormiston Forge Academy, formerly Heathfield Technology College, Perryfields High and Oldbury College of Sport also saw the average point score per student drop in line with the national fall.

Of those, only the Oldbury College of Sport recorded success at the three A-levels at AA and B measure by four per cent of students.

Meanwhile, Halesowen's Windsor High School headteacher Keith Sorrell is “delighted” at the new sixth form’s first full set of A-level results.

The average point score per student was 691.6, with five per cent gaining the top AA and a B, 38 per cent passing three A-levels at grades A*-E, 62 per cent gaining two A-levels and 70 per cent achieving one.

The school celebrated its first Oxbridge success with Katie Danks securing place at Oxford to study materials science.

Mr Sorrell said: “We are delighted with our first full set of A-level results that have been published today. They clearly show that Windsor students of all abilities have done exceptionally well.

“Many have gone straight into employment or apprenticeships but the majority have gone on to study at universities across the country following a range of different subjects. We are proud of all of them.”

He added: “These results led to a substantial increase in A-level numbers for year 12 and our recent Ofsted singled out the sixth form for special praise in terms of the quality of teaching and learning and the excellence of our students.”