Drop in number of students passing both English and Maths

The pass rate has dropped, figures revealed

There has been a significant drop in the number of pupils in Guernsey passing both English and Maths subjects.

The pass rate was 60% for both in 2022 but dropped to 55% in 2023.

Figures from the government show 46% of students achieved both Maths and English grades at Les Beaucamps High School, 43% at St Sampsons and 37% at La Mare de Carteret.

Deputy Andrea Dudley-Owen, who is the president of the committee for education, sport and culture, said "recent years have not been the easiest for students preparing for exams".

Comparison figures released for the previous years have been re-issued twice due to errors.

Nick Hynes, director of education, apologised for the mistakes that he said were down to "inputting and formatting errors" regarding 2019 results for La Mare de Carteret High and St Sampson’s High.

He said: "I take full responsibility for the mistake and apologise unreservedly for the error, particularly to the principals of those schools."

Mr Hynes said the 2023 data remained accurate, but it was "obviously important that we update previous years’ data to ensure effective comparisons".

In Jersey the government said the island's pupils achieved better overall results than pupils in England, with 24.7% of Jersey students achieving the highest grades (7-9 or A/A*).

This compares to 21.6% in England, the government said.

Ms Dudley-Owen said: "After years of studying at secondary school, Level 2 and GCSE results day is a day to celebrate for students who can finally see the outcome of all their hard work.

"[Yesterday's] results reflect the effort those students put in, and their resilience to overcome hard circumstances in which they have been preparing for their exams."