<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8" standalone="yes"?><oembed><version><![CDATA[1.0]]></version><provider_name><![CDATA[The unadulterated views of James Courtenay                  Deputy Leader of Southend Council]]></provider_name><provider_url><![CDATA[https://jamescourtenay.wordpress.com]]></provider_url><author_name><![CDATA[jamescourtenay]]></author_name><author_url><![CDATA[https://jamescourtenay.wordpress.com/author/jamescourtenay/]]></author_url><title><![CDATA[Shocking(ly Good!) results for Southend’s school&nbsp;leavers]]></title><type><![CDATA[link]]></type><html><![CDATA[<p>Southend has, according to the DfE come out in the top third of all Local Authorities in the very important statistic of number of GCSE students getting 5 A*-C grades (including English and Maths). We are 41<sup>st</sup> out of 151 LA’s. This is a great result that shows how hard all of our schools and pupils are working and the achievements of ALL of our schools.</p>
<p>What is shockingly good for Southend is that this does not only put us first when compared with our statistical neighbours (Local Authorities from all over the country that have a similar make up to Southend), but also first in the Eastern Region!</p>
<p>Some of our schools do better than others, and schools, partners and the Local Authority must of course not rest on their laurels, but let’s, just for a moment take a step back and give the schools and their pupils a real pat on the back for their achievements and work together for even better results next year.</p>
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