Emotions ran high when apprehensive local teenagers received their eagerly awaited GCSE results. This was the first year of the new style more demanding GCSE in Maths, English Literature and English Language with teachers uncertain what the new grade boundaries would be.
Nicky Edmondson, Principal of St John’s, Marlborough told marlborough.news, “In a year when the level of challenge has been so much harder our students have done even better and excelled, particularly in English. We are very proud of them all.”
79% of St John’s students achieved a Grade 4 or better in Maths (71% overall across England) while 88% did so in English (70% equivalent for England as a whole). 78% of students achieved what is considered a strong pass Grade 5 or better in English as did 50% in Maths.
Laura Reid, Head of English said, “I am proud of how the department pulled together with the support of parents to help our hard working students to achieve such fantastic results.”
Assistant Vice Principal, Dan Rogan said, “An incredible 20% of students achieved at least 8 grades at A or A*, where the new exam grades 7,8 and 9 are equivalent to A or A*. Thirty two students achieved ten or more top grades. There were particularly stellar performances from Tasha Ashbridge (12A* and 1A), Joe Crudgington (9A*, 2A), Dan Davis (11A*, 1A), Daniel Filipiak (9A*, 3A), Harrison France (11A*, 1A), Mae Hands (12A*, 1A), Sophie Hole (9A*,3A), Annabelle Jarjis (11A*, 1A), Dan Patel (11A*, 1A), Joe Price (10A*, 2A), Hamish Slater (9A*, 2A) and Oliver Wing (9A*, 2A,1B).”
“All our GCSE students are stars of course, but we are particularly proud of those who make the most progress in their time at St. John’s. Annabel Hitchmough, Kerill Heaven, George Hallett, Sophie Briscoe, Nyah Brooks, Emma Hine, Charlotte Hutton, Robyn Morley and Anna Paton all made stratospheric progress.”
“These star-studded results are the result of the students’ hard work, their teachers’ dedication and the support of parents.”
At Pewsey Vale School Head Boy Max Richards was celebrating his outstanding results: three Grade 9’s, 6A*s, and 1A grade. “I wasn’t expecting to get three Grade 9’s,” he said. According to Ofqual only just over two thousand students countrywide achieved three Grade 9’s. Max has been awarded a bursary to attend Marlborough College to study for A-levels in Biology, Geography, Maths and Chemistry.
Other high achievers at Pewsey Vale school included Amy Blundell, Lucy Whiston, Ed Kendall and Eliza Goadby. Lucy Whiston, Josh Perry, Louisa Ford, Jack Champion-Chilton and Max Richards are also to be congratulated on achieving record progress scores.
All Pewsey Vale students achieved more than five GCSE passes. The school was particularly pleased with the outstanding results in Ebac subjects, with History achieving 76% and Geography 82% A*-C grades. The personalised support that the school gives students has enabled many students to achieve far beyond their expectations, with a fifth of all Pewsey students achieving at least 3A* and A grades.
Pewsey Vale’s Headteacher, Carol Grant told marlborough.news, “I am extremely proud of the students and staff who have worked so hard during what has been a very unsettling year in education nationally. Their diligence has paid off and will be an inspiration to our current students. I would like to take this opportunity to thank our parents for their invaluable support in achieving these results. I am delighted that Neil Pritchard will be taking over the headship in September and I am sure that he will lead the school on to even greater success in the future.”
Vice Chair of Governors, Judith Barclay said, “Congratulations to all the staff and students on their excellent achievements. I am particularly proud of the number of top achievers in this challenging year.”
Incoming Headteacher, Neil Pritchard, who starts next month said, “I am very eager to start working with the staff, students and parents at Pewsey Vale to build on these successes. With the benefit of the new Vale Health and Well-being Centre, the school is looking forward to exciting times ahead”.
For more information about the new style GCSE read marlborough.news article