WINSFORD Academy has called on their MP to assist in a dispute with the Department for Education (DfE) regarding last year’s GCSE results.

Late last year the DfE revealed they intended to publish results stating that 20 per cent students at The Winsford Academy had achieved five+ A*-C GCSEs including English and Maths in 2015 – far less than the record 49 per cent the school originally reported.

This is because the Academy entered all Year 11 students for the English (Combined) GCSE as well as entering their best students for the additional English Literature exam – something that did not meet the Government’s approved combination of subjects.

Peter Rubery, The Winsford Academy’s executive principal, said: “Both courses have exactly the same exam paper so students will not notice the difference and parents will not understand what the fuss is about.

“English results at the Academy have been outstanding for the past three years and this minor presentational issue is irrelevant to the students who will receive their hard earned certificates later this month.”

The school’s error could have potentially a devastating impact on the school’s published data, as well as the DfE refusing to acknowledge 49 students’ English results.

The Academy has addressed the issue by switching the current Year 11 students to an English Language course.

The Academy’s governors have also enlisted the support of Antionette Sandbach, MP for Eddisbury.

Ms Sandbach’s first act was to ask for an audience with Education Secretary Nicky Morgan and the Conservative MP is now hopeful the DfE will change their decision.

Ms Sandbach said: “‘The Academy has made remarkable progress since the Fallibroome Academy became its new sponsor and the school has a key role to play in realising the potential of the town’s young people.

“I’m hopeful the DfE will allow the school time to make the necessary adjustments to GCSE pathways and publish results that recognise the significant achievements of the 2015 cohort.”

Mr Rubery said The Academy’s staff worked ‘incredibly hard’ last year, which resulted in students producing record results – with the English Department leading the way.

He said: “For the DfE to refuse to publish the achievements of hard working students is beyond belief.

“We are therefore delighted by Ms Sandbach’s support for our appeal.”