ST HELENS pupils are achieving higher than ever exam grades.

The Government's league tales show a dramatic rise in the number of our pupils achieving five A-C GCSEs - an overall eight per cent increase since 1993.

Chair of Education, Councillor Marlene Newman, says: "This success has been achieved by having an agreed strategy with schools to raise standards and through high-quality support from the council in its role as local education authority.

"What is particularly impressive is that this marked improvement is set against a background of vicious cuts in the education budget by the Government.

"Our secondary schools have worked co-operatively with us in a strong partnership. We have protected schools budgets and have attracted money through the European Social Fund to develop pupil activities such as homework clubs, study weekends, Easter revision clubs and residential stays at universities. All these have played a part in supporting pupils and raising their achievements."

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