Students at The King’s School are preparing for their next challenge after receiving ‘outstanding’ GCSE results.
Pupils left smiling after discovering their hard work had paid off despite ‘significant’ changes to the examination system.
This year has introduced new numerical grades from 9 to 1 in English language, literature and maths and will be phased in to other subjects by 2019.
Students attaining 9s, 8s and 7s are the equivalent to A*s and As. Grades 6s, 5s and 4s are about a B and C, and 2s and 1s will replace E, F and G.
Overall, 78 per cent of students achieved a standard pass (a grade 4 or better) in English and mathematics and 75 per cent of students achieved 5 or more standard passes (grade 4/C or better) including English and maths.
Headteacher Rob Gammon said there had been an ‘uncertainty’ about the potential impact of the new exams but was proud of the ‘outstanding’ results.
He said: “Despite the turbulence faced by students, they have worked hard and have achieved very well.
“There were a number of individual students who achieved outstanding results and we are delighted with the progress that students have made from across the ability range.
“As well as celebrating academic outcomes we also celebrate personal development and growth. We are very proud of the contribution that this year group has made to the school community over the past five years at the school.”
With the introduction of the new system, 25 per cent of the students achieved top grades of 9/8/7 in English and 23 per cent achieved these grades in mathematics.
Top student Joel Wilkins received 9s across the board in English literature, language and maths as well as six A*s and one A.
He will be heading off to Exeter Maths School to study maths, further maths, chemistry and physics.
Ollie Derham said he was please with his grades after achieving seven A*s, 3A’s, a six in English literature, seven in English language and eight in maths.
The 16-year-old added he was staying on at the school to study history, chemistry and maths at A Level.
Meg Somers was thrilled to discover she had received two 9’s in English literature and language and a 7 in maths.
She said: “I was so nervous about maths, I felt all the exams went quite badly. It’s a bit of a strange feeling, you cannot do anything about it but I knew I gave it my all.”
Eleanor Baden was also among the top achievers securing nine A*s plus 8s in maths and English language and 9 in English literature. She will be studying geography, French and Spanish at A Level.
She said: I was a bit nervous, now I’m really happy.”
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