Improvements at struggling school

A school in Leicester has re-introduced A-levels after a dramatic improvement in GCSE results.

A-level teaching was suspended at New College so teachers could focus on improving GCSE grades.

But now the school is deemed to be above-average for helping its pupils in their development.

The proportion of pupils getting five good GCSE grades has trebled in just two years and the sixth form has also doubled in size as a result.

New College opened in 1999 but at first truancy rates soared and attainment levels were low.

Expectations exceeded

Two years ago, only 9% of pupils attained five or more A to C grades at GCSE.

A-Level teaching was suspended - with the exception of art - to focus on improving GCSE results.

School principal Jane Brown said: "That was probably one of the toughest decisions we had to make in the school. A-level courses were running with maybe one or two or three or four youngsters with the very experienced member of staff.

"And next door we had the Year 11, who were about to do their GCSEs, being taught by the supply teacher."

Since then, the proportion of pupils getting five good grades trebled, with youngsters actually exceeding expectations for the first time.

New College's sixth form has doubled in size from 50 to 100 students, offering both A-levels and vocational training.