THE anxious wait for GCSE results ends today for schools and pupils.
There has been a slight increase nationally in students’ pass rate to 67.3 per cent, up 0.4 per cent – and a similar marginal increase in top grades (7 to 9) to 20.8 per cent.
It follows controversy since the government’s new ‘9-1 system’ of tougher exams and marking was introduced in a phased way for some courses two years ago, and for most courses last year.
Here’s a a round-up of today’s public announcements from some of our schools in Solihull borough – as we get them.
Students at Tudor Grange Academy Solihull once again celebrated a set of outstanding GCSE results.
Staff were delighted with the outcomes which surpassed their previous high performance in the key headline measures. 91% of students achieved Grade 4 (or a standard pass equivalent to the old C grade) or above in English and maths. Significantly, 76% achieved Grade 5 (the new strong pass) or above in both core subjects.
The Academy saw a further rise in the number of top grades achieved this year. Well over a third, 37%, of all entries scored Grade 7 or above.One in five, or 20%, of all entries achieved Grades 8 / 9 in the reformed GCSE qualifications.
Principal Claire Smith said, “This is another fantastic year for Tudor Grange Academy. It is gratifying to see the tireless work of students and staff reflected in the success they deserve. Not only have we seen outstanding grades across the board, especially with all departments now taking the new 1-9 courses, but the top grades have increased. In a system where national figures are strictly controlled, this indicates a truly outstanding performance by our students.”
Amongst the many individual success stories, the following students achieved the very top grades of 8 or 9 in at least 9 subjects: Faheem Ali, Holly Briggs, Leah Clements, Serena El-Sayed, Thomas Fowler, Elliot Harris, Archie Harrodine, Conor Jones, Daaniyal Khawaja, Bethany Lappin, Ati Maheshwari, Aaliyah Mann, Fatima Sharif, Raheem Sharif, Molly Walker and Hanaa Yousof.
Fatima Sharif, Raheem Sharif and Ati Maheshwari scored Grade 9 across the board in maths, English Language and Literature plus all three sciences along with other grades of the highest level – a remarkable achievement given the challenge these examinations represent. Notably, Fatima achieved the top Grade 9 in 10 subjects which is a landmark performance.
Solihull School is celebrating another exceptional GCSE results day, with 94 per cent of this year’s grades at 9 to 5.
Sixty-six per cent of Solihull grades were 9 to 7, while an impressive 19 per cent of all grades were at the very highest level of 9.
The historic independent school saw half its GCSE pupils achieve eight or more 9 to 7 grades and an outstanding quarter of all pupils celebrated achieving eight or more 9 to 8 grades.
The impressive grades follow last week’s equally strong A Levels for Solihull, in which 81 per cent of all grades achieved were at A* to B.
Solihull School headmaster David EJJ Lloyd said: “This year’s results represent another excellent achievement from our pupils. My congratulations go to all of them, along with all of our staff, for their hard work and dedication.”
Solihull School will be hosting two open mornings during the new school term.
A senior school and sixth form open morning will be held on Saturday, September 21 from 9.30am until noon, while a junior school open morning will take place on Saturday, November 16 from 9.30am to noon.
Arden School reports 87% of students achieving their grade 4-9 in English and Maths and 68% achieving the same at level 5.
Associate headteacher Mr Warwood said: “As with our A Level results last week, this set of results are a huge achievement for every student, member of staff and parent/guardian who have worked tirelessly over the last five years to reach this point.
“All of our students are now equipped to go onto the next phase of their learning; the majority of who will now be making their way down to enroll into our Sixth Form to carry on their learning at A Level in September.”
Students who have topped the tables in terms of their attainment were:
Zoe Wilkinson – 8 x Grade 9 and 2 x Grade 8
Isabel Ingram – 7 x Grade 9, 2 x Grade 8 and 1 x Grade 6
Jess Scott – 5 x Grade 9 and 5 x Grade 8
Tom Roberts – 6 x Grade 9, 1 x Distinction, 2 x Grade 8 and 1 x Grade 7
Corey Allen – 5 x Grade 9, 3 x Grade 8 and 2 x Grade 7
Tom Batchelor – 6 x Grade 9, 2 x Grade 8, 1 x Grade 7 and 1 x Grade 6
Those who demonstrated the most progress in their learning between Key Stage 2 and Key Stage 4 were Jess Scott, Zak Fatta, Gabriel Schroeter, Archie Kindon, Vareesha Khan, Lily Schroeter, Eve
Westman and Josie Wheelhouse.
Heart of England School in Balsall Common said its GCSE students had “once again achieve an excellent set of results”.
Over 22% of grades were 7-9, outstripping the national average. Grade 4 or higher was nearly 10% above the national average for standard passes overall, the school added.
Vice Principal Mr Bennett was in the hall to welcome students and congratulated many.
He said: “It is always impossible to list all of the fantastic achievements across the curriculum but subjects such as History achieving almost 10% grade 9s, French with over 90% grade 9-5 and music achieving over 30% 9-7.”
