Over a third of 16-year-olds in Cumbria failed to pass their English and maths GCSEs this year, according to the Department for Education.

Figures for the 2017-18 academic year show that 35 per cent of students didn't reach the required passing grade in English and maths.

A total of 1,642 students now face compulsory resits in June next year.

Walney School scored the lowest in South Cumbria with the average pupil achieving 39.2.

Furness Academy and Millom School also achieved below average grades, with scores of 41.2 and 43.3 respectively.

Ulverston Victoria High School was one of the best performing schools in the county, closely followed by Cartmel Priory CofE School and St Bernard's Catholic High School.

These results are based on Attainment 8 scores.

The national average for Attainment 8 grades was 46.4 across all state-funded schools.

This measures results based on eight subjects, including English, maths and a variety of others.

Headteacher at Chetwynde School, Sian Jeffreys, said she was very pleased with the attainment result of 47.9.

She said: "We have seen this particular statistic continuously growing for the last three years.

“We are also really proud of our EBacc score, that monitors students progress in a variety of subjects.

“These are such core academic subjects and its really important we sustain these high levels."

Since 2017, scores have been graded 1-9. The higher score, the better grade.

Based on pupils achieving a grade 5 or above in English and maths, UVHS and Cartmel Priory CofE both scored an impressive 52 per cent – nine per cent higher than the national average.

UVHS, based on Springfield Road, was also the top performer in the English Baccalaureate (EBacc) scores, with an average of 4.66.

Matthew Hardwick, Acting Headteacher, said: “These results show what a fantastic educational institution UVHS has become over the last 10 years.

Hard work and high achievement, within a supportive environment, has become expectation amongst staff, students and parents rather than aspiration.

“The whole UVHS community is justifiably proud of the ‘class of 2018’.”

St Bernard's Catholic High School Headteacher, Peter Croft, is delighted with his schools results.

The school, on Rating Lane in Barrow, scored 46 per cent based on students who achieved a grade 5 or above in English and maths.

Mr Croft said the school has been steadily improving for the last three years.

He said: "Our aim is to give our students the very best education, striving them to leave with the best grades.

“We are proud to being one of the leading schools in the Barrow area.”

At the time of publication the following schools were unable to comment: Walney School, Furness Academy, Millom School, Dowdales School, The Lakes School, John Ruskin School, Cartmel Priory CofE School.

GRADE 5 OR ABOVE ENG AND MATHS AVERAGE – 43 PER CENT

ATTAINMENT 8 AVERAGE – 46.4

EBACC AVERAGE POINT SCORE – 4.03

UVHS – Maintained School

Number of pupils end of KS4 – 171

Grade 5 or above in Eng and maths – 52 per cent

Attainment 8 score – 52.8 per cent

EBacc average point score – 4.66

Cartmel Priory CofE School – Academy

Number of pupils end of KS4 – 75

Grade 5 of above in Eng and maths –52 per cent

Attainment 8 score – 49.5 per cent

EBacc average point score – 3.50

John Ruskin School – Maintained

Number of pupils end of KS4 – 23

Grade 5 or above in Eng and maths – 39 per cent

Attainment 8 score – 49.3 per cent

EBacc average point score – 4.43

Chetwynde School – Academy

Number of pupils end of KS4 – 56

Grade 5 or above in Eng and maths – 38 per cent

Attainment 8 score – 47.9

EBacc average point score – 4.34

The Lakes School – Maintained

Number of pupils end of KS4 – 84

Grade 5 or above in Eng and maths – 44 per cent

Attainment 8 score – 46.5 per cent

EBacc average point score – 4.04


Dowdales School – Maintained

Number of pupils end of KS4 – 181

Grade 5 for above in Eng and maths – 35 per cent

Attainment 8 score – 46.3

EBacc average point score – 3.98

St Bernard’s Catholic High School – Maintained

Number of pupils end of KS4 – 162

Grade 5 or above in Eng and maths – 46 per cent

Attainment 8 score – 45

EBacc average point score – 3.69

Millom School – Maintained

Number of pupils end of KS4 – 87

Grade 5 or above in Eng and maths – 31 per cent

Attainment 8 score – 43.3

EBacc average point score – 3.53

Furness Academy – Academy

Number of pupils end of KS4 – 136

Grade 5 or above in Eng and maths – 26%

EBacc average point score – 3.17

Walney School – Academy

Number of pupils at end of KS4 – 109

Grade 5 or above in English and Maths – 28%

Attainment 8 score – 39.2

EBacc average point score – 3.60

No data is available for: SwitchED2, Moorfield Learning Centre, Windermere School.

No pupils entered from Sandside Lodge School and George Hastwell School Special Academy – these are both special schools.