THE HEADTEACHER of Evesham High School has said she will carry out a full investigation after branding the school’s GCSE English grades a ‘nightmare’.
Caroline Browne told the Observer she was far from the pleased with the school’s English results which she claimed saw big inconsistencies between one paper and another for the same students.
The school recorded a pass rate of just 37 per cent of pupils with five A*-C grades including English and Maths – considerably less than last year’s pass rate of 54 per cent.
Ms Browne said returning the marks to exam board Welsh Board (WJEC) was a priority.
“We are far from pleased with the results and will hold a thorough investigation into the GCSE English results and will be demanding a remark as a priority,” she said.
“There appears to be inconsistencies with the final grades. To have at least two grades lower between papers cannot be right and something needs looking at.
“This is very disappointing and all we can do is offer our students our full support to help them get to the next level. It is a bit of a nightmare for us.
“The Government told us to expect ‘volatile’ results because of the changes which had been made but is this right and fair to our hard-working students?”
Elsewhere in the Vale, Prince Henry’s High School earned record-high figures with 31 per cent achieving A*- A grades and another record saw 57 per cent make A*- B grades.
Overall 80 per cent of all the GCSE grades were between A*-C with 68 per cent of students achieving 5 A*- C passes including Maths and English.
The school’s outstanding achiever was Joe Sandham who got twelve A*s and one A grade – closely followed by Daniel Evans, Jemima Hutchison and Katherine Wright who each achieved eleven A*s and one A grade.
Dr Tony Evans, headteacher, said: “Despite the alterations occurring within the examination system, these results highlight once again the exceptional standards here at Prince Henry’s, and they are a tribute to the hard work and continued effort of the students, the quality of the teaching, and the continuous support provided from parents and families.
And at Pershore High School there was more success as 63 per cent of Year 11 pupils secured at least five A* to C grades including English and Maths – an improvement of 3 per cent from last year. And 76 per cent of the year group achieved grades A* to C.
Top performers included Isaac Chidlow who got nine A*s and one A grade, Sam Bradnick with eight A*s and three Bs and Megan Williams who celebrated after getting seven A*s and four As.
Molly Hardwick and Adam Woolley. (s)
Anna Swainson, Adam Woolley, Fraya Jowett, Jemima Hutchison, Molly Hardwick and Madeline Goodlad from Prince Henry’s. (s)
Pershore High School students Samuel Godber, Rhiannon Hornett, Heather Boocock, Megan Wardle and Samuel Bradnick celebrate their results while happily donning hard hats as major building work takes place at the school. (s)
