CELEBRATIONS were on the timetable for many Vale students as the nervous wait for GCSE results came to an end.
Exam results were revealed on 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 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. Officials say this is designed to give a better indication to the quality of the results for students.
Students and staff at The De Montfort School celebrated very good GCSE results.
Headteacher Guy Nichols said: “We are very proud of our students’ successes and it is so pleasing to see that they, and their parents, really appreciate the commitment and support they have received from our dedicated staff. It is also great that staff are here to share this moment with them.”
“We are equally delighted many of our students are eagerly looking forward to beginning the next stage of their educational journey by joining our sixth form. We would like to wish them and all our students the very best for the future.”
Daniel Hains was the top performer at Prince Henry’s High School with eight 9 grades and two 8 grades, all equivalent to A* or A while Robert Hardwick notched up eight 9s one 8 and a 7 – again all equivalent to A* or A.
Melissa Radley earned five 9s, four 8s, one 7 and a 6 and Imogen Looker achieved five 9s five 8s and one 7 while Georgina Hiscock recorded four 9s and six 8s.
A total of 66 students, almost a quarter of those taking the exams, gained five or more 7-9 grades and 99 per achieved five grades from 9 to 1.
Headteacher Dr Tony Evans, said: “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 and I offer my sincerest congratulations to everyone concerned.”
A total of 72 per cent of students at Pershore High School notched grades at 4 and above, 59 per cent achieved five grades at 4 or higher with 20 per cent notching up grades at 7 and above.
Among the top performers was Jodie Young who walked away with five 9’s three 8’s and one 7.
Amelia Mills recorded four 9’s five 8’s and a seven while Sam Radford scored four 9’s, four 8’s and a seven.
Headteacher Phil Hanson said: “I am so pleased to congratulate our fabulous students on their GCSE results.
“They have been a very hardworking year group and this hard work has paid off with some excellent results.
“The new, reformed GCSEs are significantly more challenging but our students have risen to that challenge and performed very well.
“I would like to pay tribute to all of their teachers who have supported the students so well and helped them to achieve their grades.”
