CELEBRATIONS were on the timetable for many Vale students as the nervous wait for GCSE results came to an end.
Exam results were revealed today (Thursday) with teenagers across Evesham and Pershore being marked with grades from 9 to 1, replacing the traditional A* to G.
The new grading scheme was 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.
A record number of 317 Prince Henry’s High School students sat GCSE exams this summer and school chiefs hailed the results as ‘outstanding’.
Among the top performers was Matthew Burrow who achieved eight grade 9’s, one grade 8 and one grade 7 while Martha Bradley achieved seven 9’s, two 8’s and a 7 and George Brown scopped a 9, three 8’s and five 7’s.
The school revealed 20 per cent of students gained five or more grades at 9 to 7 with a total of 98 per cent gaining five GCSEs at grades 9 to 1.
Headteacher, Dr Tony Evans said: “I would like to offer my warmest congratulations to the students. They have been a remarkable, motivated and committed group of young people who thoroughly deserve the outstanding academic success they have achieved.
“Our motto at Prince Henry’s is ‘Great things grow from something small’ and the GCSE achievements this week, coupled with our impressive A-Level results last week, are a testament to this.
“These exceptional GCSE results are a tribute to the incredible hard work and dedication of the students, staff, parents and the governing body. I am extremely proud of all of our students rising to the challenge of the reformed GCSEs.”
Students and staff at The De Montfort School are celebrating some excellent GCSE and BTEC results and many of the successful students will remain at the school’s sixth form.
Headteacher Guy Nichols, said “We are absolutely delighted with our results, which are a tremendous vindication of the school’s vision and strategy and of the hard work, loyalty and dedication of all of our students, staff, governors and parents.
“We are proud that as a truly inclusive school, students of all abilities have achieved a strongly positive set of results. It really feels that we have turned a corner at TDMS. The future is really exciting for everyone.”
A quarter of Pershore High School students notched up grade 7 and above while 69 per cent achieved five grades at 4 and above.
Hannah Meek secured an impressive nine grade 9’s and an 8 while Karus Robinson notched up five 9’s, two 8’s, a 7 and a 6.
Headteacher Phil Hanson said: “They have been a very hardworking year group and this has paid off with excellent results. The new reformed GCSEs are significantly more challenging but our students have risen to that challenge and performed superbly.
“I would like to pay tribute to all of their teachers who have supported the students so well and helped them to achieve their excellent grades. We wish them every success in their futures either here in the Sixth Form at other local colleges or in apprenticeships”
