CELEBRATIONS were on the timetable for many Worcester students as the nervous wait for GCSE results came to an end across the city.
Exam results were revealed on Thursday with teenagers across Worcester being marked with grades from 9 to 1, replacing the traditional A* to G.
The new grading scheme is being brought in alongside a new GCSE curriculum in England. Now, 9 is the highest grade, while 1 is the lowest, not including a U (ungraded). Three number grades – 9, 8 and 7 – correspond to the old-style top grades of A* and A.
Students at Tudor Grange Academy helped the school to acheive some of its best results to date with one in six grades obtained at 7, 8 or 9.
A total of 56 per cent of students gained higher than 5 in their subjects and 71 per cent gained a 4 and above in both English and mathematics.
Almost a quarter (22 per cent) of English grades and 20 per cent of mathematics grades were 7 or above.
Emily Buckley was one of just 732 students nationally to gain a clean sweep of grade 9s for every subject.
Principal Samantha Roach, said: “Students should feel incredibly proud of themselves. They have demonstrated real character, which is a feature of the academy. I would like to thank all the staff for their passion, clarity and belief.”
All of the pupils at Kings School Worcester achieved five or more passes from 9 to 4 with almost 70 per cent of all grades achieved at 7 to 9 and 97 per cent achieved solely grades at 9 to 4.
Almost one third of pupils achieved ten or more grades at 9-7 and headmaster Matthew Armstrong paid tribute to their efforts.
“It’s great to see so many who are rightly thrilled with their results. The pupils and staff have done exceptionally well and these excellent results are a testament to their ongoing hard work, determination and commitment.
“We look forward to watching and guiding them as they move up into the Sixth Form for the next chapter of their education,” he added.
More than three quarters of students at Bishop Perowne CE College achieved grades at 4 or higher, a substantial increase on the 67.5 per cent who did so in 2017.
In particular, students excelled in English and maths with 77 per cent achieving a grade 4 or higher in English, and 65.9 per cent in maths, increases of 12 per cent and five per cent respectively on last year results.
Four students achieved an outstanding 30 GCSEs between them at grades 9 to 7; Will John notched three at grade 9, three at grade 8, one at grade 7, two at grade 6 and one Level 2 Distinction while Lillibet Haworth achieved five at grade 8, four at grade 7 and one Level 2 Distinction.
Olivia Bradley recorded two at grade 9, four at grade 8 and two at grade 7 while Jay Pugh scored three at grade 9, two at grade 8, one at grade 7 and four at grade 6
Headteacher Mark Pollard said: “Our students who took GCSEs this year were collectively below the national academic average when joining the school, so their record-breaking achievement deserves to be celebrated and they should all be extremely proud of their accomplishment.
“The results are testament to the hard work and commitment everyone has put in to driving higher standards across the school and striving for higher achievement over the past few years and we wish all students the best of luck with their future endeavours.”
Celebrations were also on the timetable at Nunnery Wood High School where 75 per cent of students gained a good pass or higher in both English and maths.
A total of 30 per cent of all grades in all subjects were at 9 to 7 either a 7,8 or 9 with 133 passes were at grade 9 with Carla Shipley earning grade 9 in all her subjects.
Headteacher Stephen Powell, said: “Overall, the average point scores are the Nunnery’s highest ever and consequently progress scores will be significantly above national averages. This means that all our students, at all academic levels, did superbly well and we are proud of them all.”
Students at RGS Worcester delivered top class results with 31 pupils achieved 9 to 7 grades in eight or more subjects with Aodren Clemit who achieved 11 grades at 9 and 8 and Alex Owen, Lydia Faizey and Alex Peake who achieved 10 grades at either 9 or 8 among the top performers.
Twins Lydia and Nathan Faizey and Elizabeth and Nicholas Fearon provided double celebrations for their respective families with Lydia and Nathan recording 20 GCSEs with 18 graded at 9 to 7 while Elizabeth and Nicholas also achieved 20 GCSEs with 17 graded at 9 to 7.
Headmaster John Pitt said: “Very well done to the Year Eleven RGS pupils and their teachers for working so hard and responding so positively to what are different and challenging examinations. The pupils have set themselves up extremely well for the new A Levels and I am sure they will go on to further success in the Sixth Form here.
Adrian Parsonage, headteacher of The River School said: “A small cohort of seven pupils took their GCSEs and achieved or exceeded their targets in most subjects, with some outstanding results.”
“Our strong Christian ethos is a really important contributor to our success. Congratulations to all our pupils and students.”
