Pupils make the grade thanks to learning boost

Pupils make the grade thanks to learning boost

School pupils in the southern area are getting help from the Public Health Agency (PHA) and Southern Education and Library Board (SELB) to help them improve their GCSE grades.

Thanks to a partnership with the SELB and local councils, the PHA has funded English and Mathematics programmes. Over 85% of pupils in the participating schools who were expected to achieve Grade D and availed of the additional support attained grades A*-C in English or Mathematics.

Gerry Bleakney, Head of Health and Social Wellbeing Improvement with the PHA in the southern area, said: “There is a strong relationship between educational attainment levels, income and longer term health and wellbeing. One of the PHA’s core goals is to help young people to achieve their full potential and this joint initiative has produced significant improvements for the young people participating.

“Good English and Maths GCSE grades can open the door to further education and training, equipping students with knowledge and skills to make the most of their potential.

“The programme does not aim to replace the teaching which takes place in schools; rather this funding is designed to complement the provision which is already in place, providing an extra boost for those pupils who might need it.”

Shane Comer, Advisor for Post-Primary Leadership and Management at the SELB, said: “The aim is to offer these young people every opportunity to progress and achieve as they approach adulthood. The feedback from the schools has been very encouraging with all agreeing that the funding does indeed have a positive impact on attainment. 

“It’s a good example of a multi-agency approach in education and we have worked closely with the PHA to ensure that the money goes to those pupils who without it may struggle to attain these essential GCSE qualifications.”

The GCSE programmes are designed to increase the proportion of year 12 pupils achieving grade C or above in English and Maths.

Some of the ways that schools have supported their pupils included advice and guidance regarding stress management, study skills programmes, additional examination practice, nutritional advice, and working with parents to encourage full attendance and engagement.

One school who benefited from the programme was St Mary’s High School, Newry. Principal Margo Cosgrove said: “Not only do their achievements increase but also their opportunities to avail of third level education or employment, helping them to make valuable contributions to local, national and global communities.”

Notes to the editor
  • In 2012, 18 wards in the Southern area were categorised as being in the top 20% most deprived in Northern Ireland. In 14 of these wards, the number of young people achieving five or more GCSEs in any subjects at grade A*-C was below the Northern Ireland average.
  • Education has a profound impact on self-esteem, lifelong training, employment opportunities and income. Educational attainment directly contributes to better health and the ability to participate fully in a productive society as engaged citizens. There is a direct correlation between poverty, low educational attainment and poor health.
  • Education targets in the Programme for Government (PfG) 2011-2015 are to increase the overall proportion of young people who achieve at least five GCSEs at A*-C or equivalent including Mathematics and English by the time they leave school to 66% by 2014/15 from a baseline of 59.5% for school leavers in 2010/11. A further target is included in the PfG to increase the proportion of young people from disadvantaged backgrounds who achieve at least five GCSEs at A*-C or equivalent including Mathematics and English to 49% by 2014/15 from a baseline of 31.7% for school leavers in 2010/11.