I am writing to take issue with your article 'GCSE pass rates fall in half of high schools', published in the Harrow Observer on January 22, 2009.
The Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) statistics used in your report focus on pupils who were 15+ at the time of sitting the exams and not on the GCSE results themselves.
It omits the results of the small but not insignificant minority of pupils who do not fall into that category.
Other DCSF statistics indicate that Peterborough and St Margaret's students achieved 87 per cent A*- C grades, including maths and English, with 100 per cent achieving five or more A* - C grades.
Sixty-two per cent of their results were A/A*, putting the school, according to the league tables published in The Times newspaper (www.timesonline.co.uk/parent power) in sixth place nationally in the 'small school without a sixth form' category.
It is a pity that your article does not recognise the achievements of all the students.
SUE WATTS
Headteacher Peterborough and St Margaret's School
Stanmore
