STUDENTS in Hampshire have risen to the challenge of tougher standards for GCSEs and the impact of the new one-to-nine grading - with nine being at the top of the scale - according to the provisional results released last Thursday.

In congratulating the county’s students, county councillor Stephen Reid, executive member for education and skills, human resources and performance, said: “I’d like to say a huge well done to all Hampshire students who will have worked hard to meet the more rigorous standards of the new GCSE curriculum.

“We have still to receive results from a small number of schools but from the information we’ve been sent so far we believe there is a really positive set of results for Hampshire which look to be comfortably above the national average.”

While pointing out that a number of schools had made significant advances in performance, there were some, according to Mr Reid, which will not have progressed as far as they might have hoped.

“Our school improvement services will be offering their assistance to those schools to support them in driving up standards,” he said.

And he added: “Hampshire’s pupils, their families and schools can be very proud of the results for 2018, setting this year’s group of 16 year olds in good stead for vocational training or further study at A-Level.”

Last year saw mathematics, English language and English literature adopting the new ratings system of one to nine, and this year a further 20 subjects have moved over to the new system, leaving only a few of the smaller entry subjects with the more familiar A*-G grading system.

Mr Reid was upbeat, saying: “The range of options for learning after finishing GCSEs keeps on growing, making it easier for young people to take the next positive step on their personal journey to a future career and full-time employment.

“Those who are drawn to academic study can pursue college courses and may even look forward to higher education, but we now also have plenty of options in Hampshire for anyone keen to get straight into work and start building skills and working experience from an early age.

“As a major employer, the county council itself takes on around 100 apprentices and trainees each year, providing a variety of roles from office work to social care and construction.”