MORE money is needed if education is to be improved in Swindon, say unions.

Dick Mattick, secretary of the NASUWT teaching union, wants to see the borough meet the national average next year.

He said: "It would be a considerable achievement, but a lot depends on next year's budget.

"For the amount of funding we get compared to other areas we have done pretty well.

"One thing which would drive up our average would be if Bradon Forest came under Swindon.

"A lot of Swindon pupils attend the school, but it is run by Wiltshire County Council."

Phil Baker, secretary of the Association of Teachers and Lecturers, said: "I am very encouraged that the tremen-dous hard work of teachers and students has resulted in better GCSE results.

"Hopefully, in the next couple of years we will reach the national average.

"What we need is more money and smaller class sizes."

Coun Garry Perkins (Shaw and Nine Elms), the council's lead member for education, praised the dedication of teachers and pupils.

He said: "I am very pleased with these results, which reflect all the hard work of the pupils, their teachers and all the staff who work with our schools, as well as parents and governors.

"It is good to see the gap between Swindon and the national average is closing.

"The commitment to contin-uous improvement is in all that we do, and we strive to improve further in the next 12 months."