PRESS RELEASE

For immediate release - 21 August 2007

Religious Studies proves a popular A-level choice once again

Just over 19,000 students took Religious Studies for A-level in 2007, a thousand more than in 2006 and more than double the figure from 1996.

CES Chief Executive, Oona Stannard said: “An understanding of religion remains as vital in contemporary society as it ever has and the excellent results are a marker of how students engage with the highly relevant subject matter”.

She went on: “I am pleased that we see success across all subject areas in our various schools and colleges. The important thing is that whether from favoured or disadvantaged circumstances, our students have been well taught and supported to give of their best. The overall A-level results are a clear indication of the quality of the students and their educational experience in the Catholic sector.”

Christ The King Sixth Form College in Lewisham achieved a 98.4% per cent pass rate at A-level, despite the fact that Lewisham is amongst the 20% of the most socially deprived local authorities in the country.  Awarded Beacon status in 2004, Christ The King is one of only three colleges in the country to have been named twice on Ofsted’s Outstanding Providers List.  Ofsted praised the ‘highly supportive learning environment’ and the outstanding leadership in the college, noting that ‘There are excellent enrichment opportunities for learners and their spiritual and moral development is outstanding.’

Principal Dr Jane Overbury said: “Our mission as a Catholic college is to support each of our students to realise their potential and this includes their academic achievements as well as their overall development as young people.  We are very proud of our students, who we believe are ambassadors for their generation.  Their success demonstrates the huge talent and ambition of young people in this part of Inner London and pays testament to the hard work and commitment of all our staff”.

Gultekin Uzuner, a student of the college and former pupil of St Joseph’s Academy plans to study for a Psychology degree at Sussex University.  He said: “During my time at Christ The King I benefited from the support given by teachers and was able to reach my potential.  I will be the first person in my family to go to university.  The college has helped me to become independent and confident and I will always be grateful to the college for what it has helped me to achieve”.

Last year four out of the top 10 comprehensive schools were Roman Catholic, according to the Independent newspaper.

ENDS

For more information please contact Laura McCann, Policy and Briefing Officer: t: 0207 901 4854 e: lmccann@cesew.org.uk, w: www.cesew.org.uk.