St Mark’s top of the table for English Baccalaureate achievement for yet another year.  

We are delighted to inform you that earlier this term the published Government figures show that St Mark’s has come top of the Harlow schools’ league table again for the number of pupils achieving the English Baccalaureate. 

St Mark’s achieved 30% with the National Average being 21.3% (Harlow average 19%).

These are outstanding results which have been achieved by a complete cross-section of young people.  St Mark’s is a local comprehensive which offers places to all young people living within the area regardless of academic ability.  Examination achievement is regarded as an important aspect of the education we provide but not necessarily the only important quality.

We believe that a number of factors have contributed to this success, of which the hard work of the pupils themselves, the support of their parents and the skill and dedication of our teachers are the most significant. 

These excellent results demonstrate the effectiveness of high quality teaching coupled with team work.  St Mark’s has achieved a consistently good standard of examination results for many years now, but we are not complacent and will seek to build on this achievement.

The impact of our work with our young people is clearly demonstrated by the number of pupils who have received offers to universities, following their UCAS applications. The tables also highlight the greater than average number of our sixth form pupils who go on to further education. As a school we give every pupil an opportunity to have life chances that in other schools they may not have been given, 

These results, and those of last year, show that pupils at St Mark’s, whatever their ability:

• Are more likely to be studying the English Baccalaureate (EBacc)
• Are more likely to achieve the English Baccalaureate
• Are more likely to be studying GCSEs than ‘equivalent’ courses
• Are more likely to achieve 4+ in English and Maths
• More likely to stay in education
• More likely to go on to study at University

I would like to congratulate all those involved in achieving this wonderful outcome.