I returned to the office to watch the GCSE results come in from schools during the morning...

We have seen some extraordinary results today from schools across the city. Results that reflect a huge amount of energy and effort by young people, their teachers and their families over the last eleven years. Every one of our schools has a wonderful story to tell which collective add up to our best results ever and the largest improvement we have ever seen here in Leeds. From Abbey Grange CE High School, Allerton Grange High School, Boston Spa School, Brigshaw High School, Bruntcliffe High School, Cardinal Heenan RC High School, Carr Manor High School, City of Leeds School, Cockburn Community College, Crawshaw School, David Young Academy, Farnley Park High School, Garforth Community College, Horsforth School, Leeds West Academy, John Smeaton Community College, Lawnswood High School, Morley High School, Mount St Mary's RC High School, Parklands Girls high School, Pudsey Grangefield High School, Ralph Thoresby High School, Rodillian High School, Roundhay School, Royds School, South Leeds Academy, St Mary's RC School, Menston, Temple Moor High School and Woodkirk High School we have seen outstanding results and great individual achievements. We are still waiting for results from Allerton High School, Prince Henry's Grammar School, Priesthorpe School, Primrose High School and Wetherby High School to complete the picture so things may get even better!

We can't afford to be complacent however and we need to see what the national picture looks like to see how much we have closed the gap and we need to look at the results for groups and individuals to see the impact of our more targeted work with our looked after children, children on free school meals and other under-achieving groups.

These are going to be my last GCSE results and I am deeply proud of these schools here in Leeds and those colleagues who have gone the extra mile to achieve such brilliant outcomes.
Chris