A BROADSIDE has been fired at the "one-size-fits-all" system of education after many of the borough's schools failed to reach the county average for the number of pupils getting high-grade GCSEs.

Figures from the Department for Education and Skills show an average of 61 per cent of pupils at Hampshire's schools achieved five A* to C grades - but just two of Basingstoke's nine secondary schools reached this level.

Bishop Challoner Catholic Secondary School had the pick of the results, with 82 per cent of pupils achieving five A* to Cs, giving it one of the top five scores in the county.

Brighton Hill Community College also performed well, with 70 per cent getting top grades.

However, four of Basingstoke's nine secondary schools are in the bottom 25 across the county.

These are Aldworth Science College, The Vyne Community School and Fort Hill Community School, with John Hunt of Everest Community School in last place after just 15 per cent of pupils achieved five A* to C grades.

The figures prompted criticism from Hampshire county councillor Stephen Reid, who represents Basingstoke North West. He said he believes schools need to be given greater freedom if the pattern is to be reversed.

He told The Gazette: "For too long we have allowed a slavish adherence to a one-size-fits-all education system, where schools are organised and delivered along identical lines, offering no real choice to parents and pupils.

"Sadly, that is the situation that prevails in Basingstoke."

Cllr Reid supports the Government's plans to give schools more independence and control over their finances and hopes to see one of the town's secondary schools add a sixth form to fast-track bright pupils.

However, despite finishing bottom among pupils getting five A* to Cs, all pupils left John Hunt of Everest school with at least one entry-level qualification, putting it above the Hampshire average of 98 per cent.

Councillor Paul Harvey, leader of Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council and a member of the board of governors at John Hunt, believes this could point to a bright future for the school.

He said: "I honestly believe there will be big improvements at John Hunt when the new school we are planning is built.

"The school does a tremendous amount in the community and by making sure everyone leaves with an entry-level qualification, it has given them a leg-up into life."

Schools in the districts around Basingstoke also had mixed results - Robert May's School, in Odiham, and Testbourne Community School, in Whitchurch, both beat the county average for pupils getting five or more A* to Cs, while The Hurst Community College, in Tadley, fell below it.

Do you have a view on this story? Write to The Letters Editor, Gazette Newspapers, Gazette House, Pelton Road, Basingstoke, RG21 6YD or e-mail editor@basingstokegazette.co.uk

First published: Thursday, October 27, 2005