ST ALDHELM’S Academy is once again among the worst performing schools in the country.

Last summer’s results, published today, show that just 18 per cent of the school’s Year 11 pupils gained the national benchmark standard of at least five GCSEs at grades A* to C, including English and maths.

In total, 98 youngsters took their GCSE exams at St Aldhelm’s last year.

The results mean that around 80 students will be leaving the Poole school without the national benchmark.

In the previous year, 17 per cent of students achieved the grades.

Four years ago, the school was ranked bottom in England with three per cent.

Despite the bleak news, there is hope for the future after Ofsted inspectors found that students are thriving.

As reported in the Daily Echo earlier this month, inspectors heaped praise on the team who have “transformed” the academy, which in 2014 was placed in special measures.

The league tables show that in Poole, 63.1 per cent of students achieved the national benchmark.

The figure was 60.3 per cent in Bournemouth and 58.3 per cent in Dorset.

The tables were topped in Bournemouth by the Bournemouth School for Girls with a 99 per cent pass rate.

In Poole, Parkstone Grammar also claimed a 99 per cent pass rate at the national standard.

St Edward’s climbed to a 73 per cent pass rate from 56 per cent the previous year.

Head Pola Beavan called the figures a “tremendous achievement”.

Bournemouth council deputy leader Councillor Nicola Greene, cabinet member for children’s services, said: “We are really pleased that all schools in Bournemouth are above the government’s National Floor Standards.

“It demonstrates the dedication of students, and of the staff and families.”

Cllr Mike White, cabinet portfolio holder for children, young people and capital projects in Poole, said: “GCSE results for Poole showed a significant improvement this year, rising six percentage points from 2014.

“We are really pleased to see all of our secondary schools increasing the proportion of pupils achieving five A*- C including English and maths.”

Bournemouth:

 

Poole:

  • Carter Community 37 per cent (29) 82
  • Corfe Hills 52 per cent (45) 370
  • Magna Academy 58 per cent (57) 370
  • Parkstone Grammar 99 per cent (97) 179
  • Poole Grammar 96 per cent (95) 181
  • Poole High 56 per cent (45) 181
  • St Aldhelm's Academy 18 per cent (17) 98
  • St Edward's 73 per cent (56) 174

Dorset:

  • Blandford 59 per cent (62) 173
  • Ferndown Upper 52 per cent (52) 220
  • Gillingham 67 per cent (63) 261
  • The Grange 45 per cent (45) 110
  • Gryphon 72 per cent (65) 248
  • Highcliffe 67 per cent (61) 233
  • Lytchett Minster 54 per cent (59) 228
  • Purbeck 47 per cent (55) 196

KEY: The first number is the percentage of pupils gaining at least five GCSEs at grades A*-C, including English and maths, with last year's results in brackets.

The final figure is the number of eligible pupils.