Provisional data shows that the percentage of students at all 17 Northern Education Trust secondary academies who have achieved grade 5+ in English and maths are at or above the national average of 2024 (46%). 12 academies are over 50%. At least 60% of all students achieved grade 4+ in English and maths, with 10 academies over 70%. 16 academies achieved at or above the national average of 2024 (65%).

The trust averages for students achieving grade 5+ for English and maths have improved from 49% to 54%, an increase of 5 percentage points. Set against the context that many of our academies are located in areas of high deprivation, with a larger than average number of students eligible for pupil premium (46% against the national average of 26%), this is an impressive achievement.

At grade 5+ for English and maths, students at 13 out of 17 academies improved on last years’ performances, with significant improvements for the 3 newest academies in the North West, building on the successes already seen during their first year working with the trust: Denton Community Academy celebrated an 8% increase; Essa Academy were delighted with the 14% increase; and Buile Hill Academy were ecstatic with the 35% increase – a remarkable transformation in a very short period of time (the academy only joined in September 2024). Other trust academies celebrating a double-figure percentage increase included Manor Community Academy (11% increase) and Walbottle Academy (12% increase).

Jane Wilson, Chief Executive said: “We are overjoyed with the GCSE results this year. They are a reflection of all the incredible hard work, shared commitment and dedication of students, staff and families, and allows our students to make ambitious and exciting choices for their future. Our key stage 2 students also excelled, with 76.1% of students achieving at least the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined (RWM) (15.1% higher than the national outcome), with an impressive 10.2% achieving at a high standard. All individual academies were above the national figures for RWM. The newest North West primary academies to join the trust also celebrated similar impressive increases alongside the recent secondary joiners: Chesham Primary Academy increased by 3.8% to 70.5%; Essa Primary Academy increased by 6.8% to 66.2%; and Hazlehurst increased by 12.7% to a phenomenal 89.7% of students achieving at the expected standard for RWM.

“The transformations at our newest North West academies, alongside the continued progress of all our other academies, demonstrates the effectiveness of the trust’s school improvement model. Many of our academies are located in communities that sometimes face significant challenges, and these results will help to raise the aspirations of our young people, which in turn will enhance their life chances as they move onto the next stage of their lives. I am immensely proud of each and every one of them, and express my sincere thanks to all the families, staff, governors and trustees who have helped them achieve their remarkable results.”