GCSE exam results in Bristol were better than the national average this summer for the 'first time ever'. More than two thirds of pupils passed their English and maths GCSEs in Bristol, and Key Stage Two results are also increasing but still lag behind the national average.
According to Bristol City Council, the number of pupils achieving a grade 9-5 in English and maths increased from 43.2 per cent last year to 46.9 per cent this year. And the number of pupils achieving grades 9-4 increased from 63.4 per cent to 66.2 per cent.
Education bosses at the council said they were hoping to see similar results over the next two years too. An update on school performance was given to councillors on the children and young people policy committee.
Hannah Woodhouse, executive director for children and education, said: "Key Stage Four data has put Bristol above the national average for the first time ever -- or at least in a long time -- on attainment, which is brilliant. It's one year, it's not enough for any of us, I'm sure, and we want to see a three-year trend.
"We want to see that data replicated particularly for children living in poverty. There's lots more we want to do. But we should recognise the hard work of children first of all, and the people who run those schools, the teams in the schools and trusts, who have been working hard to support those children."
The English language pass rates across England fell from 61.6 per cent to 59.7 per cent. In maths, it fell from 59.6 per cent to 58.2 per cent.
Results improved at all levels across the city this summer, including Key Stage 5 such as A Levels. In Key Stage 2, the percentage of children meeting the expected standard in reading, writing and maths has been increasing but is still less than the national average.
Attendance levels also increased slightly last year. Overall school attendance increased from 91.5 per cent in 2023/24 to 91.9 per cent in 2024/25. But this is still behind the national average which was 93.1 per cent. Students got their GCSE results in August earlier this summer. GCSEs are graded from 9 to 1, with 9 being the highest grade, and a 4 equivalent to getting a C.