HAMPSHIRE students continue to perform above the national average in their GCSE results, according to figures published last week by the Department for Education.

Under the new ‘Attainment 8’ system, Hampshire students achieved a score of 51.1, performing above the national average of 49.9. This means that the average grade attained by Hampshire students was the equivalent of a grade C whereas the national average was a grade D.

Students studying for the English Baccalaureate (EBacc) also performed above the national average, with 25.9 per cent of students achieving the suite of qualifications against 24.6 per cent nationally.

Peter Edgar, Hampshire County Council’s executive member for education, said: “I am delighted that the results from the Department for Education reaffirm the academic success of our students – in spite of the change of how a school’s performance is measured. Their achievements are testament to their hard work, as well as the top quality education provided here in Hampshire.

“I also wish to thank parents and teachers for the vital role they play in supporting students to achieve their best. Opportunities for young people in Hampshire have never been greater, and our students have set themselves up well to pursue higher education, training or employment.”

Alongside GCSEs and the EBacc, students also completed diplomas, BTECs, and National Vocational Qualifications.

There have been changes to Department for Education reporting measures in that schools are no longer required to report a measure of the number of students gaining five GCSEs at grades A* to C, including maths and English.

The new measures, Progress 8 and Attainment 8, report school performance based on the progress achieved by students from year six exams to GCSE. Hampshire schools achieved a Progress 8 score of -0.03 which was identical to the national average.