GCSE results achieved by students from the New Charter Academy show remarkable progress.

The Academy opened in September 2008 and was the first in Britain sponsored by a housing association. It operates from the sites of two predecessor schools in Ashton-under-Lyne. Year 11 students recorded an impressive 63% improvement in the number obtaining 5 GCSEs or more at grades A* - C, compared to the predecessor schools last August.

A key target for the Academy is to increase the number of students getting 5 or more passes at A* - C including English and Mathematics. Here, the year-on-year improvement was almost 18%.

Academy Executive Director George Lloyd was pleased the efforts of students and staff had been rewarded. “This is a good first step, but we have more to do.

Some of our young people have achieved more than they thought possible, but we want every student to succeed. This year had challenges, including teaching on two sites, but many year 11 students coped well with the change of school. I wish all leavers the best of futures. This time next year we will be able to offer the option of joining our sixth form.”

There were many individual success stories. Last year’s head girl, Katie Walker obtained 15 passes including two from 2008. Her haul included 10 As and two A*s, and she confessed surprise at how good her science passes were. She plans to continue her education at Ashton Sixth Form College, where she will take qualifications in Mathematics, Psychology and Sociology. Her current interest in to pursue a career in teaching but wants to keep her options open.

There was also success for the Academy’s youngest examination entrant. Sona Mistry from Ashton took her Mathematics GCSE two years early. At the age of 14, she has an A grade and will continue accelerated progress in the subject. She believes her father’s business has inspired her interest in the relevance of the curriculum.