Students across Huntingdonshire are receiving their GCSE results today (Thursday).
With the Government changing how GCSEs are graded, it has meant that students will be receiving their results numerically as opposed to using letters.
The new system means that students are graded from 9 to 1, where a 7 is anchored at an old grade A, a 4 is a low C and a 1 equates to a grade G.
KIMBOLTON
Pupils at Kimboton school have achieved outstanding GCSE and IGCSE results, with almost one in three grades awarded at the top A* or A (9/8) level and 51 per cent of the grades awarded at A* or A (9 to 7).
97 per cent of the pupils achieved five or more passes at A* to C (9 to 4) grade, the Government’s standard measure of GCSE attainment.
Included in these results were those for international GCSE in nine subjects, and 17 candidates achieved n or more A* to A grades, with 46 students gaining a level 9.
Lucy Hoy and Aryaki Soni both achieved 10A* (or 9/8) while Isobel Banfield, Alicia Blem-Filby and Matthew Smith were all awarded at least 9 A*s (9/8).
Other notable achievers, all with at least 9A* (9 to 7) grades and at least 6 A*s were Emma Blakely, Oliver Bravo-Escos, Amber Griffin, Alice Jenkins, Abigail Kerr, Hanna McGarva and Joseph Moerman.
Jonathan Belbin, head master, said: “Despite the uncertainties surrounding these new examinations, our pupils have achieved some tremendous results. I am particularly delighted by the number of 9s awarded as these were expected to be rarer than hen’s teeth.”
ABBEY COLLEGE, RAMSEY
Students at Abbey College, Ramsey are celebrating again this year after securing another excellent set of GCSE results this summer – capping off an excellent year for the college.
Progress, the measure which schools are now ranked, is expected to have significantly improved with 10 per cent more students achieving a positive Progress score compared with last year.
The Progress score compares students’ abilities at the start of secondary school to the grades they achieve at Year 11 and compare this against similar students nationally.
Almost two-thirds (63 per cent) of students achieved a level 9-4 in both English and maths, with 41 per cent achieving the higher level 9-5 – above last year’s national average. Eighty-one per cent of all students at the college achieved a level 4 or higher in English.
There were also significant improvements in science, with 57 per cent of students achieving a level 9-4 in two or more science subjects – six per cent higher than last year.
Head teacher, Andy Christoforou, said: “We are very proud of the hard work and effort all our students have demonstrated this year which helped them secure another excellent set of results.
“The rate of progress the students made during their time at the college is outstanding, and reflects the consistently good, stretching and challenging teaching at the college. We expect our Progress score will be high again when the league tables are announced in the autumn term.
“We wish all our students the very best of luck in their futures and look forward to seeing many of them returning to our sixth form in September.”
Among the highest individual performances this year were Kathleen Fort, Eleanor Phipps and George Paul who all achieved five or more grades at the highest levels 8 and 9 (equivalent to an old A* or high A*).
Taylor Elsbury also achieved a level 9 in both English literature and language.
In BTEC qualifications, Amy Dawson, Nicholas O’Hagan and Shawna Washington all achieved the highest Distinction* in two subjects.
ST IVO, ST IVES
Two students at St Ivo achieved the maximum possible Attainment 8 score, described by the school as a “phenomenal achievement”.
In both English and maths 65 per cent of students gained a grade 4 or higher, in English alone the score for grade 4 or higher was 76 per cent, with 76 per cent in maths.
The school’s provisional Attainment 8 score was 49.
Headteacher Sam Griffin said: “These are an impressive set of results of which students, parents and staff can be proud. I am delighted to see so many students doing so well, with particular improvement in the number of students achieving grades 7 to 9 (A*A equivalent). We are looking forward to welcoming many students back into our sixth form at the start of term.”
The school said there were some notable high achievers this year with Carla Handford scoring the top grade 9 in all 10 subjects, plus an A grade in A level maths, Ellie Brown achieved nine grade 9s, an 8 and an A* in further maths. Charlie Bircham gained eight grade 9s and two grade 8s while Ollie Clinton achieved six grade 9s, three grade 8s and a grade 6.
Two thirds of dance students achieved grade 7+ or equivalent, together with 46 per cent of art students and 37 per cent in history with “superb” results in triple science where more than half the grades were at 7+ and a 100 per cent pass rate. Overall, 24 per cent of grades were 7+ or equivalent.
ST PETER’S, HUNTINGDON
Girls at St Peter’s were not disadvantaged by the new results system, despite speculation that it would favour boys.
A statement from the school said: “St Peter’s is celebrating the hard work and dedication of our students and staff which has resulted in further improvements in examination outcomes.
“Despite the new qualifications being more rigorous with staff and students having to understand the requirements of the new qualifications, 13 grade 9’s - which are above the previously awarded A* grade - have been achieved by our students.”
It said: “Girls contrary to speculation in the national media, were not disadvantaged by the new style examinations and made progress that is almost half a grade more than national expectations.”
The school did not provide a breakdown of its results.
It said: “We are particularly pleased with the 45 per cent improvement in outcomes in science compared to previous years as shown by 90 per cent of students achieving a grade 5+ - a ‘good’ pass in the government’s new terminology - in biology, chemistry and physics. This highlights the impact of the investment we have made to develop this subject area and we look forward to further improvements next year as students work with our experienced, qualified staff in the refurbished laboratories.”
It added: “These results clearly show the excellent results that our students supported by our staff can achieve. The success of students demonstrates the improvements being made at St Peter’s which are supporting our students to attain higher qualifications, giving them greater opportunities for the rest of their lives.”
SAWTRY VILLAGE ACADEMY
Students at Sawtry Village Academy are celebrating GCSE results with 66 per cent of students achieving a good pass in both English and mathematics.
English continued to show improvements, with 84 per cent - three per cent higher than 2017 - of students attaining a grade 4 or higher. Mathematics maintained the highly impressive 72 per cent grade 4 or above from last year.
Over 21 per cent of all grades were awarded 9, 8, 7 or A*, A; with over 57 per cent of all grades 5 (B) or higher.
The science department also recorded an improvement on 2017 results with 71 per cent of students achieving at least two or more good grades in two sciences. Biology, chemistry and physics all achieved 100 per cent grade 4 or higher.
Sarah Wilson, principal, said: “In a year where the academy has been graded Good, with an Outstanding sixth form provision, we are really proud of these results, which continues our track record of improvement over the past three years. Both our GCSE and Post 16 results are testament to the hard work of staff and students.”
The following individual students all achieved exceptional results; Bethany Claxton, Charlotte Tobin, Jonathan Currien, Daniel Sarkissian, Lauren Dobbs, Jessica Dunstone, James Norman, Harry Neal, Callum Hamilton, Lily-Anne Mayes, Lucy Martin, Jessica Howes, Kayleigh John, Christopher Venn.
LONGSANDS ACADEMY
Students studying at Longsands Academy have produced an impressive set of GCSE and Level 2 results, with a significant number of outstanding individual performances.
At Longsands Academy, staff, students and their parents are celebrating a strong set of GCSE results with many departments and students achieving some outstanding outcomes
More than 20 per cent of all new GCSE grades were 7-9, with 72 of those securing a grade 9; the highest grade possible in the new system for GCSEs. An outstanding 75.3 per cent of students secured a standard pass in English and 72.8 per cent a standard pass in maths, with 65.5 per cent of students securing at least a standard pass in both subjects. 96.6 per cent of students who sat further maths achieved an A*-C. A number of other subject areas achieved notable results which contributed to the overall 60.6 per cent figure for five or more standard passes (9-4) including English and maths. Other subjects who secured impressive A*-C grades include Latin, music, RE, French, photography, biology, chemistry, physics, history and media.
Many students gained a number of the highest grades, but of particular note were: Daniel Biggs (secured seven grade 9s, a grade 8 and an A*), Thomas Hurrell (secured six 9s, two 8s and an A*), James Rogers (secured six 9s, two 8s and an A*), Isabel Arrowsmith (secured five 9s, three 8s and an A*).
Martin Paine, head teacher, said: “Both staff and students have worked extremely hard to make progress this year, strongly supported by parents and the wider community. The year has been particularly challenging in light of the changes to GCSE qualifications with regard to course content, examination rigour as well as the new grading criteria. It is a delight to see so many students rewarded for their hard work and commitment during their time at Longsands. Today, we celebrate their achievements and wish them every success in the future.”
HINCHINGBROOKE SCHOOL
Hinchingbrooke also had an impressive set of results, with 45.3 per cent of students getting grades 9-5.
Despite grade boundaries increasing, this year’s results at 9-5 in English and maths improved to 45.3 per cent at the school. Subjects of particular note for gaining strong passes (9-5) include biology (84.1 per cent), chemistry (86.6 per cent), physics (86.6 per cent), music (88.2 per cent), German (82.1 per cent), textiles (80 per cent A*-C) and astronomy (75 per cent A*-C).
Emily Saul achieved seven 9s, two 8s and an A* and Caitlin Everette achieved seven 9s, two 8s and two grade As. Other students that did particularly well included Lilia Hodge who achieved eight 9s, an 8 and a grade A. Sophie Burnley achieved six 9s, two 8s, a 7, and a grade A*. Amy Smith achieved five 9s, three 8s, an A* and an A. Lucy McGregor managed four 9s, three 8s, two 7s and a grade A*.
Vice principle Simon Cooke said: “We would like to congratulate all of our GCSE students for an impressive set of results this summer. Their hard work and commitment over the duration of their GCSE courses has led to many exceeding their target grades.
“Our vocational courses have also produced some very strong performances, in particular in dance, BTEC sport and creative i-Media.
“There are also many stories of students who have overcome a variety of challenging circumstances and made progress well beyond expected levels.
“We would like to thank our staff for their continued dedication and hard work which enables our students to achieve their full potential.”
ERNULF ACADEMY
Tracy Brogan, head teacher of Ernulf Academy, said: “Both staff and students have worked extremely hard to continue to make progress this year, strongly supported by parents and the wider community. We are continuing to move forward as a school and the students should feel very proud of their achievements this year.”
The school was particularly pleased with how students have performed in the more challenging new style GCSEs and the significant improvements made including 75 per cent of students at Ernulf Academy achieving a good grade (4 and above) in English.
Students also performed well across a range of subjects including Business Studies, Engineering and Sport (more than 90 per cent equivalent to grade 4 and above), music (80 per cent equivalent to grade 4 and above), biology (79 per cent grade 4 and above)b and physics 71 per cent (grade 4 and above).
Several students achieved the newly introduced higher grades of 8s and 9s. Only a small percentage of students across the country are awarded these grades. Of particular note are Gemma Bowman with four 9s, a Distinction*, two 8s and two 7s; George Armiger who achieved four 9s, three 8s and one 7; Archie Dunn who achieved three 9s, five 8s and one 7. Also of note Kiah Hughes, Tessa Hutchison, Tiffany Kemp and Martyna Mizia who all achieved a range of top grades including 8s and 9s.
Tracy Brogan said: “I am delighted with the students’ achievements. They have been an excellent year group and deserved to do well. I would like to thank the invaluable support provided by their parents/carers. Well done to all of the students and good luck for the future; I wish them every success as they move onto the next steps of their learning journey whether that is sixth form, college or an apprenticeship. I know that they leave us as confident young people with the skills and qualities needed to achieve continuing success in the future.”
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