Cuts 'can't threaten' GCSE gains

EDUCATION minister Robert Sillars, pictured, has pledged that improvements in GCSE results will not derail education reforms.

But he acknowledged the gravity of the problem facing his department as it will soon release details of how it will shed £7m. from its £75.7m. budget.

And he would not rule out setting performance targets for schools to meet in the future.

La Mare de Carteret High Schools GCSE turnaround this year compared to last would put it in the 25 most-improved schools in England.

'I want to encourage a continuation of that improvement. It would be foolish to expect similar increases - it will be fine-tuning, tweaking - but there's a determination to keep improving.'