STUDENTS from across Stockton-on-Tees scored the best GCSE results in the North East last year, new figures have shown.

An impressive 67.5 per cent of the Borough’s students achieved 9-4 grades in English and Maths at GCSE in 2019, a figure is well above the 64.6 per cent national average for all state funded schools. The North East average is 61.6 per cent.

The results come at a time when £52million is being invested in transforming school buildings across the Borough.

Councillor Lisa Evans, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, said: “This is a top-class set of results and it’s testament to the effort and commitment pupils have put in. It’s also due in no small part to the support they’re given by teachers, governors, school and council support staff and their parents and carers.

“We’re committed to supporting high levels of attainment across the Borough but we’re far from complacent and will be continuing to work hard to help all of our children and young people fulfil their potential.”

Stockton-on-Tees' primary school children were also shown to be performing outstandingly - with figures revealing that 71 per cent of pupils in schools reached expected targets in reading, writing and maths. This was the highest figure in the North East.

A-Level pass rate of 98 per cent showed that pupils and students in the Borough’s sixth forms and colleges are outperforming the national average too.