'We are not cynical' say PiXL club schools

schools belonging to the club pixl were attacked by ministers, but say they are doing their best to help students - with measurable success

can be the first day after the Christmas holidays, but is directly working for 11 years, students of the school Greenshaw in Sutton, Surrey, they make a mock GCSE English Paper. They sit in single rows office, head bowed in silent concentration, but this is not a typical review. Professor Nick House is located at the front, read the questions - and how to respond. "It is worth four points, so at least five points, just to be safe," he said, as students carefully highlight parts of the text are given and write in your test booklet .

Known as "walking talking fake" is a new initiative to encourage students exam technique - and ultimately their GCSE grades. Items will be marked and returned to students within 24 hours (with a unique set of objectives), so when it comes to "real" test later in the week, they will have confidence in success. "When presented for consideration and think it will be realized, c ' is exactly what they will do, "says school director, Will Smith.

His confidence is justified: last year, 76% of pupils achieved at least five GCSE A *-C with degrees - against about 35% seven years ago - something he attributes to participation in school pixl club. The club is a group of schools to work together to improve student achievement, particularly at GCSE - with impressive results

pixl last year (which means Partners in Excellence) - Schools. Achieved an average GCSE results by 4.6%, compared to a national decline of 0.4%

participating schools are passionate - even evangelical - the benefits. According to director John Cornally, pixl inspired projects have increased the number of students receiving As and A * GCSE at school - Blessed Thomas Holford Catholic College in Altrincham - 25%. "There is a real family feeling [the club] and a sincere desire of everyone to succeed," he said.

Smith, who is also the deputy director of pixl is particularly proud of a motivational program presented in Greenshaw last year which helped 25 "borderline" 11 students (those identified as being at risk do not get notes C at GCSE) to achieve five grades A *-C GCSE necessary to progress in the sixth form -. and in many cases beyond what

But despite its significant - and measurable - successful club pixl attracted unwanted media attention late last year, according to an article in the Times Educational Supplement (TES) has said the group was urging schools to introduce students to both GCSE and IGCSE exams or International English to improve their position in the rankings (the last qualification, more traditional, with a focus on end of course examination historically been favored by the independent sector and has taken into account the performance data of the government since 2010).

And while the brand has emerged relatively unscathed pixl - in fact, said its founder, Sir John Rowling, over 40 schools registered "in the back of the room TES" - some members were felt stung, especially the Ministry of Education (DFE), which refers in a press release that "cynical". Rowling, a former director, still cross about it and wish to emphasize that the group "does not impose anything on anyone." Approximately 700 students pixl Sat IGCSE last summer and, given the recent debacle GCSE English - in which thousands of students have received lower grades than expected after the boundaries have changed between January and June examination sessions - the schools can not be blamed for seeking alternative qualifications said.

• "It was very painful to see the children they thought had happened, we thought had happened and I think it should have happened, and he did not. We will not be caught off guard again because it was very embarrassing last year. "

What is even more irritating of the episode, he says, is that students entering for additional testing is only one of many strategies used by the group to help students succeed exams.

the heart of the club is a management commitment pixl high quality schools that support each other and a shared sense of "moral purpose" to give all young people - regardless of their origin or capacity - the ability to do their best. And while Cornally Rowling and enthusiastic about the "family feeling" of the group, Smith speaks of "pulling the strings" and not "limited by the walls of the school," pixl philosophy is based on rigor.

annual subscription fees ? 3200 (which, as Smith is quick to point out, this is a small percentage of their annual school budget ? 9m), where members can attend six lectures per year . They also have access to resources and test materials, including online tutorials and webinars. During the Christmas period, 480 children enrolled in a series of webinars in English magazine developed by the group, said Rowling.

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