WORRY, stress and a lack of confidence are some of the reasons behind the region's poor GCSE performance, according to a new study.

The North-East Assembly yesterday unveiled its research into young people's attitudes to education in the North-East.

The research was commissioned in response to figures which show that the number of 16-year-olds obtaining five or more higher grade GCSEs in the North-East are below the national average. The region also has a relatively high number of permanent exclusions and the lowest number of 16 to 17-year-olds in full-time education.

As children aged five to seven perform better than national average, the researchers wanted to find out the attitudes of young people when making crucial decisions about their future.

The research, conducted by Northumbria University's Centre for Public Policy on behalf of the assembly, asked more than 4,000 young people for their views on education.

It found that most young people had positive approaches to education, but a number of factors were having a negative impact.

It was discovered 72 per cent of young people felt working hard at school would not get them the job they wanted, and 67 per cent of those not in education said they stopped working hard at school because they felt they were not good enough. Half said enjoying lessons made them want to work hard.

Of those surveyed, 72 per cent were uncertain if they were clever enough to go to university or college and 71 per cent were not sure if they could afford to go.

Lynn Dobbs, director of the Centre of Public Policy, launched the survey at Ramside Hall, near Durham City, yesterday, before an audience of about 150 educationalists and other organisations.

Mrs Dobbs said young people were under enormous pressure.

She said: "What really moved me is how many young people talked about the worry that accompanies school work. That was something I felt was unacceptable, that kids faced that same kind of stress we do at work.

"These kids are facing massive stress and worry about exams and that's the 25 per cent who recognise they're worried about it.

"There will be others who are deluded into thinking they're coping with it, or who maybe think that is just what life is like."

It is hoped the research will make a significant contribution to the region's efforts to raise educational standards and so improve economic performance.

Authority gets top marks for trying

A Council is making strides to improve below average performance in GCSE exams, say inspectors.

An Ofsted team says Durham County Council is a good education authority with a strong record and is committed to raising attainment.

The percentage of pupils achieving five or more A to C passes in their GCSEs last year was 41.5 per cent, compared to the national figure of 49.9 per cent.

But they note that the county is tackling the issue by spending an extra £2m in each of the next three years to try to improve results and they are confident the push will succeed.

The council's education director, Keith Mitchell, said: "Since the inspection was carried out we have been able to announce excellent GCSE results for this year, with an increase to almost 45 per cent - a level of improvement which is double the national rate.''

The inspectors say that primary school pupils are getting a good start and results in tests of 11-year-olds are in line with the national average.

Results among sixth-formers are in line with those elsewhere but the county has a low staying-on rate.

The percentage of schools with serious weaknesses or requiring special measures is well below that of similar authorities and the national average.

The report makes relatively few recommendations.

These are aimed at increasing school improvement, improving special educational needs provision and improving social inclusion.

Cabinet member for education Neil Foster said he was very pleased with the report, which recognised improvements made since the last inspection in 1998, and the council's capacity to continue improving.