Thomas Clarkson Academy in Wisbech is the most improved school in Cambridgeshire

Government figures released yesterday (17) show that Thomas Clarkson Academy in Wisbech is the most improved school in Cambridgeshire over the last two years.

The Progress 8 score, which measures students’ progress from the end of Year 6 to their GCSEs, is an important indicator of a school’s performance.

In the last two years, the progress made by TCA students has put the school in the top 3 per cent of all schools in England for this measure. During that period, TCA’s Progress 8 score has risen from -0.56 to +0.11, which is above the national average of -0.02.

It means that in the last two years, TCA is the most improved school in Cambridgeshire. The results also show that it is the third most improved school in the East of England, an area which encompasses six counties.

Progress 8 compares pupils’ Key Stage 4 results to those of other pupils nationally with similar prior attainment.

Associate Principal Richard Scott said the results reflect the school’s determination to help students fulfil their potential and the drive to improve outcomes for young people in the area.

He said: “The Progress 8 score is important because it’s about every child, every subject and every grade – it’s all taken into account.

“What we’re now seeing is more young people exceeding expectations and more students going on to post-16 courses and university. It’s reflective of the ambition we share for the young people of Wisbech.

“This has come about through improving the consistency in the quality of teaching and learning; individualised support for students; meeting the needs of students, and raising aspirations. It’s an indication of the hard work by staff and students at TCA.”

The provisional figures released yesterday reflect Ofsted inspectors’ comments that TCA is a “rapidly improving” school, following a visit in October last year.