THE wait is over for expectant Coventry GCSE students – the first intake to receive its results after changes to the grading system.
A shake-up of the qualifications has seen the introduction of grades 9 down to 1 – replacing A* to U.
In comparison, a 9 is higher than the previous A*; 8 is between an A* and A; 7 equal to an A; 6 equivalent to a high B; 5 is between a B and C; 4 equal to a grade C; 3 is between a D and E; 2 between an E and F; 1 a G; while U refers to an ungraded paper.
Most exams are now at the end of a two-year course, rather than on completion of modules, and there are more essay-style questions.
Pupils also have to do at least two science GCSEs, and coursework and assessment are being dropped from most subjects, apart from practical ones such as art and drama.
The government’s Department for Education says the new GCSEs are ‘more challenging and demanding’ and aimed to improve confidence in the qualifications.
Ash Green School:
Ash Green School is celebrating a ‘significant improvement’ in top grades for this year’s GCSE results – with students achieving over double the number of grades A* and 8-9 than in last year’s exams.
English and maths tripled the top grades achieved across both subjects, with nine students attaining grade 9 as compared to three last year.
More young people than ever before will also now be staying on to study their A-levels at Ash Green School.
Over double the number of Year 12 students will be going into Sixth Form in September – the majority of whom had Ash Green School as their first choice.
Mr Harry French, who took over as Principal at Ash Green School in September 2016, said: “Ash Green School has seen a significant improvement in the number of top grades achieved from our students taking their GCSE exams this year.
“With over double the number of students staying with us to study their A-levels.
“At Ash Green School we want our young people to make everyday extraordinary, and the huge increase in top grades achieved in this year’s GCSE exams shows all our students that there is no end to their ambitions.”
Individual achievements are also being celebrated for a number of students.
Owen Saunders achieved grade 9 in seven subjects and grade 8 in two and a Distinction* in business studies. Owen will be staying on to study A-levels in history, chemistry and biology at Ash Green’s Sixth Form.
Paige Atherton also achieved top grades in 100 per cent of her GCSE exams results, attaining grade 9 in two subjects, grade eight in English literature, grade 7 in six subjects – alongside grade A in graphic design. Paige will also be staying on to study A-levels at the school’s sixth form.
WMG Academy:
Students at WMG Academy Coventry have achieved the school’s best ever GCSE results.
The Warwick Manufacturing Group Academy in Mitchell Avenue saw a grade 9-4 rate of 71 per cent across all subjects, with many subjects hitting 90 per cent or over at grades 9-4.
Principal Matt Brady said: “We are absolutely delighted with this year’s results and extremely proud of all our students who have worked incredibly hard to ensure the academy achieves its best ever GCSE results.
“These results demonstrate the tenacity, talent and teamwork of our students and staff and we will continue to work together to build on our success.”
The school says many students are staying at WMG Academy to study A-levels and BTEC.
And many students have secured apprenticeships with local, national and global companies.
The academy provides GCSE, A-level and BTEC education for 14 to 19-year-olds.
It opened in 2014 and its first cohort left in 2016 with 100 per cent going on to university, apprenticeships or work.
The academy specialises in science, technology, engineering and maths.
Bablake School:
The school is celebrating a fantastic batch of top-rate results, with more than half achieving the equivalent of A* or the new grade 8 and 9.
The school’s senior staff said its pupils have adapted very well to the reformed GCSEs with their new grading system, with 39 per cent gaining the elusive 9 grade in English language.
Headmaster Mr John Watson said: “We are very proud of our pupils’ outstanding performance.
“It amply reflects the ethos of the school: a happy, ambitious and generous community, which enables our pupils to thrive in mind, body and spirit.”
With many subjects now graded 9-1, Tim Henderson from Hinckley and Sathvika Krishnan from Nuneaton achieved a full house of the very top grades in their ten GCSEs, also both adding an A grade for Additional Maths.
Fiona Chung from Coventry secured a remarkable twelve 9/8/A* grades as well as her A in Additional Maths.
Blue Coat Church of England School and Music College:
Blue Coat announced its students continue to perform well at GCSE.
More than 78 per cent of entries met the revised threshold of 4+ /C+ and more than one in ten attained the exceptional achievement rating of 8-9 / A*.
The school says its latest grades prove the education it provides ‘adds value’ to the potential of its students.
Results in the core subjects of mathematics and English remain particularly high.
In English 86 per cent of students scored 4+ or more while in mathematics it was 82 per cent.
A total of 25 students achieved at least eight passes in the 7 to 9/ A*to A category and 15 of these students achieved at least 10 results at this level.
Headteacher Victoria Shelley said: “It is so pleasing to see so many of our students achieving their ambitions and gaining their passport to future aspirations.”
Deputy headteacher Lisa Henden added: “On the back of these results the number of students applying to our sixth form will exceed expectations.
“We are particularly pleased that so many of our students have achieved excellent results in what are considered to be the most demanding subjects.”
Cardinal Wiseman Catholic School:
Cardinal Wiseman has announced excellent GCSE results, with all students expected to progress in their studies to sixth form or further education.
Coming after the success of achieving some of the best A-level results in the city, the school is now expecting a record number of applications to their sixth form for September 2018.
In Year 11, 70 per cent of students were awarded Grade 4 or higher in English (this year’s equivalent of grade C and above) and 60 per cent of students were awarded Grade 4 or higher in mathematics.
Under the new GCSE system a grade 7 is equivalent to the old A grade with only three per cent of the candidates expected to achieve the top grade, 9. In this year’s exams, Cardinal Wiseman has seen an impressive nine departments above this national benchmark.
Principal Tom Leverage said: “I would like to congratulate all of our Year 11 students on the fantastic achievement of getting the results they deserve.
“We have seen a 100 per cent pass rate in our vocational qualifications as well as a record number of children achieving the highest number of 9 to 7 grades.”
Individual praise goes to Casey Bartlett who achieved four 9s, four 7s and two As and is going on to study four A-levels including English literature and art at Cardinal Wiseman.
She said: “I’m so relieved and incredibly happy, I never expected to do so well. It was tough, but all of the revision paid off.”
Mackenzie Tchoudi achieved one 9, three 8s, four 7s, two 6s and one A and is going on to study A-levels in maths, biology, chemistry and French.
She said: “I’ve been waiting so long to get these results, it’s been an emotional rollercoaster but I’m so happy and excited for sixth form. It’s been an amazing five years at Cardinal Wiseman.”
Grace Academy Coventry:
Grace Academy Coventry is celebrating a rise in the number of students achieving the top grades including 63 per cent achieving grades 4-9 (A* to C) in English and 60 per cent in maths.
Among the individual subject highlights were 87 per cent of students achieving grades 4-9 in biology, 84 per cent in physics and more than three quarters in chemistry.
The school says after a sustained programme of improvements, the number of students who achieved the higher GCSE grades 7 to 9 rose to 36 per cent, with an outstanding 30 per cent achieving the highest possible attainment grade 9 across a range of subjects.
The Academy saw some outstanding individual achievements, including student Mohammed Khartabil who achieved 8 grade 9s.
He said: “I am ecstatic about my results. Thankful to all the staff and revision sessions which really helped.”
Principal Anu Monga said: “It was a pleasure when the students received their results to see moments of real joy, happiness and tears of success. It was also very satisfying knowing students and parents recognised the support provided by the Academy.
“We couldn’t have achieved this performance without having developed a real partnership with parents, carers and our students on our journey to success. I would like to thank them again for all their support and for the positive messages we have received.”
WARWICKSHIRE GRADES:
Myton School:
Myton School reported some of its ‘best ever’ GCSE results.
Some 26 per cent of pupils achieved five or more top grades and 18 per cent achieved eight or more – the equivalent to A and A* results.
Top marks went to Hannah Fardoe with eight grade 9s and Sam Lubrano with seven grade 9s.
Headteacher Andy Perry said: “These impressive results are thanks to the hard work and commitment of the students, the dedication of our staff and the support of our parents and carers. They should be very proud of their achievements.”
North Leamington School:
North Leamington School pupils had top marks with nearly 80 per cent scooping grades 9 to 4 in English, maths and science.
John Alcock, Rufus Bloomfield and Hannah Castle all impressed with ‘above average’ results.
Headteacher Joy Mitchell said: “It has been yet another incredibly challenging year for both students and staff as they have grappled with the demands of the new GCSE regime. I’m however, delighted and very proud of what we have achieved during this turbulent time.”
Trinity Catholic School:
Trinity Catholic School had an increase to its results, with eight per cent of all marks at grade 9.
Top results went to Vicky Moon, Ben Knight and Hannah Smith.
Headteacher Chris Gabbett said: “It’s really pleasing to continue a journey of improvement at a time that is so difficult for education. As much as I congratulate the students who achieved the highest grades, I am equally proud of those who worked just as hard to complete all exams and work towards their next destination.”
Warwick School:
Warwick School celebrated top marks with more than half achieving A*grades or equivalent.
Eleven boys achieved an impressive clean sweep of ten A* grades.
Headteacher Deneal Smith said: “This is another fantastic set of academic results for Warwick School and a testament to the hard work put in by the boys and their teachers.”
Kings High:
Girls at Kings High celebrated top results too.
Nearly 100 per cent scored A* to C grades, with 73 per cent at A* to A.
Headteacher Richard Nicholson said: “I congratulate our girls and our staff for the excellence which is demonstrated by these exceptional results. It is particularly impressive that the girls have achieved so highly at a time of so much change to the GCSE examinations.”
Kingsley School:
Girls from the Kingsley School saw more than a third pass with five or more 7 to 9 grades.
All passed with A* to C grades or equivalent.
Top marks went to Olivia Griffiths, Molly Maher and Annie Harper Radley.
Headteacher Heather Owens said: “I am thrilled for all of our girls, who have done so well to achieve their individual bests with the first year of a more difficult examination process. I am particularly proud of the value added achieved by our girls, with many grades above estimations on entry, thanks to our strong partnership between students, staff and parents. “
Southam College:
Southam College saw improvements on last year’s results, with 88 per cent achieving a grade 4 in English and maths.
Stand-out marks were achieved by Maisie White, who scooped ten grade nines or equivalent, Molly Versey and Luke Pike.
Assistant headteacher Megan Browne said: “These are superb results and we would like to congratulate all of our students for their tremendous efforts, along with the staff and parents who have provided exceptional support. We are proud of each and every one of our students and wish them all the very best for the future.”
