CHESHIRE East has continued to buck the national trend with an excellent set of GCSE results.

Provisional GCSE figures show that 71 per cent of Cheshire East pupils achieved a ‘standard pass’ or better in combined English and maths with 50 per cent achieving the ‘strong pass’.

These results show improvements on last year and are well above expected national rates.

In the core subjects of English and maths, outstanding achievements have been seen. In English, more than 81 per cent of pupils gained the standard pass or better, with 67 per cent achieving a stronger pass.

In maths, 76 per cent of pupils gained the standard pass or better (compared with the national rate of 72 per cent) with 55 per cent achieving a stronger pass.

Other key national indicators have improved on last year including success in wider academic subjects that keep options open for young people and are preferred for entry to degree courses.

Cllr Dorothy Flude, Cheshire East Council cabinet member for children and families, said: “Today [Thursday] is about celebrating all the efforts of young people from across Cheshire East.

I have seen first-hand the hard work and commitment from both students and teachers and I am delighted that, yet again, Cheshire East is well above national trends.

“To continue to perform at the highest level, year after year, is a testament to the quality of teaching and learning in our schools.

“I am especially pleased to see the achievements of our most disadvantaged young people, with a six per cent improvement in those who achieved a strong pass in English and maths.

“This reflects our continued commitment across the borough to improve outcomes for our more vulnerable children.

“I’d like to thank all parents, carers, teachers and all those who have supported our students - right from their early years, through primary and into secondary school - on their education journey.

“I recognise that the last month has been a worrying time for young people, waiting for their results and now they are in, I would encourage them to explore the many opportunities across Cheshire East for continuing their education, apprenticeships, training or employment and I wish them all the very best for the future.”