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Schools share their GCSE and IGCSE successes
As pass rates returned, as planned, to pre-Covid levels this year, there was still plenty to celebrate. On 2024’s GCSE results day, schools saw their students’ determination deliver truly outstanding results, individually and collectively.
Students sitting their GCSE, level one and two vocational and technical qualifications (VTQs), and IGCSEs this year began their secondary education journey as the pandemic hit. Their education has perhaps been most marked by its impact.
It is why this year’s results are all the more impressive.
Tanglin Trust School, Singapore
A huge congratulations to the 186 Tanglin Trust School students who successfully passed their IGCSEs this year, with 91% of grades A*–B equivalent (9-6). Over half (55%) of all grades were 9–8; 77% 9–7; and 99% of grades were 9–4.
Commenting on their impressive performance, Chris Seal, head of senior school, warmly congratulated the IGCSE cohort of 2024: “They can be very proud of how they conducted themselves through Upper School, and these results are a testament to their willingness to learn and develop as young people.
“For the group to have passed 55% of all GCSEs at A* or equivalent, and 91% of all examinations at A*–B are extraordinary achievements and highlight the incredible depth of ability in this year group.
“These scores also reflect the huge amounts of support the students receive through the combination of excellent teaching, superb pastoral support, and supportive parenting. We look forward to working with this year group as they make their way through the Sixth Form.”
In the UK, independent day and boarding school Sevenoaks School is again also celebrating outstanding GCSE and IGCSE results.
Following its fantastic IB Diploma results earlier in the summer, 86% of all GCSE/IGCSE results were graded 9–7.
Grade 9s – the highest possible – accounted for 44% of all examinations, with 70% of graded 9 or 8.Overall, 80 students gained ten or more 9–7 grades, with 12 students achieving ten or grade 9s.
Headmaster, Mr Jesse Elzinga, said: “Well done to all our Year 11 students; we congratulate them on their remarkable results. This impressive achievement at (I)GCSE, combined with excellent work in our Sevenoaks School Diploma, prepares our students well to start the IB Diploma Programme.”
Results day 2024At Radnor House, Sevenoaks, an independent school for children aged 2–18, students achieved its best-ever results this year, particularly in science. One hundred per cent of students achieved 9–7 grades (formerly A*/A) in physics, chemistry and biology.
David Paton, head of school, congratulated students: “This is an outstanding set of results and a testament to the focus and determination of the entire year group, as well as their hardworking teachers over many years.
“Let’s not forget that this cohort was probably most adversely affected by Covid-18, with their Key Stage 3 and 4 education facing disruption and uncertainty. The school’s results in the separate sciences are particularly encouraging as we have significantly focused on this area in recent years.”
Behind the overall results were remarkable individual achievements. Alina, who came to the UK three years ago from Ukraine speaking limited English achieved 7s and 8s in her GCSE subjects, including English.
Deputy Head Academic, Scott Milne, also commended the students. “We are hugely proud not just of how well each student has done, but also of how they approached the challenge of preparing for and sitting their exams.
“The knowledge and learning habits they have developed in this time gives them an excellent foundation for further academic success, with the vast majority progressing to study a range of A Levels here at Radnor House Sevenoaks.”
Students collect resultsIn Cambridgeshire, students at day and boarding school King’s Ely are celebrating fantastic GCSE and IGCSE successes, including the 25 international students studying on the school’s one-year IGCSE courses before starting their tailored A-level pathways.
More than a quarter of all GCSE grades this year are the highest 9–8, while more than three-quarters of results are grades 9–5 (above-pass grades). The overall pass rate is 95%, with virtually all students achieving a pass or better in maths and English Language. Over a quarter achieved grades 9–7 in at least eight of their subjects, including one student who secured grade 9s in nine of their subjects, and one student who achieved seven grade 9s.
For IGCSEs, King’s Ely’s two-term intensive IGCSE course sees young people study in their non-native speaking language and take on average six subjects. More than two-thirds of IGCSE results were grades 9–6 and the overall pass rate was 94%. Two students achieved grade 9s in all their subjects.
Matthew Norbury, director for international students at King’s Ely, said: “Our IGCSE students arrive in England for the first time ever in September, and just seven months later they are successfully sitting their IGCSEs in an education system they have never experienced before. Every year I remain humbled by their achievements.”
Jonathan Shaw, head of King’s Ely senior, said: “We are delighted that the hard work of so many of our pupils has been recognised with some excellent GCSE grades this summer. Many have exceeded expectations, and we are very proud of our Year 11 pupils for their diligence and enthusiasm, both inside and outside the classroom. For many, these results have been achieved alongside a commitment to many aspects of school life, be it music, drama, or sport. I would also like to thank the teachers and other staff who have supported our pupils both academically and pastorally throughout their time at King’s. Success such as this is always the culmination of a superb team effort.”
GCSE students at Stephen Perse Cambridge, a day school which offers full boarding for UK and international students in years 12 and 13, have achieved 71.5% of GCSEs at 7–9. This includes: 30.2% of GCSEs graded 9; 52.9% of GCSEs graded 8 or 9 and 18 students achieving at least eight GCSEs at grade 9.
Stephen Ward, head 11–18, congratulated the students, saying: “Everyone at Stephen Perse Cambridge is delighted with the superb achievements of this year’s students. They have worked unbelievably hard, supported by the teaching staff and their own families, who have been instrumental in helping the students manage the pressures of this exam period and achieve their full potential.
“At Stephen Perse Cambridge, our mission is to deliver academic excellence, by nurturing every individual to realise their potential and inspire them as the contributors to tomorrow’s world: intelligent young people with the creativity, compassion, confidence and conviction to question, evaluate and improve society. This group of students certainly embody these values.”
Stephen Perse Cambridge offers a diverse curriculum of GCSE options including, design, Mandarin Chinese and classical Greek, alongside traditional core subjects of English, maths, sciences, European languages, humanities and creative and performing arts. It also encourages students to develop knowledge and experience through extracurricular activities and all students receive tailored support so they can pursue their passions and interests and fulfil their ambitions.
Principal Richard Girvan added: “We are so proud of this year’s cohort. Their commendable attitude makes me confident that they will continue to inspire others with their genuine passion for learning. They are inspirational role models for the whole school community. We are looking forward to seeing all they go on to achieve in Sixth Form.”
Oxford International College, Brighton (OIC)
Success for first-ever graduating classThe first-ever cohort of Oxford International College (OIC) Brighton GCSE students, who joined the College when it opened in August 2023 and completed an accelerated one-year programme of study, were among those receiving their results this August.
Nearly 70% achieved a top grade of 9–7 in English Language, while 64% achieved the same in computer science and 63% in biology. In both chemistry and physics, 30% of grades were a 9. Over half of IGCSE results were also a grade A or A*.
Before joining OIC Brighton last year, Anna had never studied physics or chemistry in English. This year, she achieved two As in her IGCSEs, plus five GCSEs at grade 8 or higher. Anna will return to the OIC to study mathematics, further mathematics, politics and physics at A level.
Marie, who achieved an 8 and five 9s in her GCSEs and an A* in her IGCSE examination, said: “It’s a great honour to be a student at OIC Brighton. I’m delighted to achieve these results, and I am grateful to all the teachers and the entire team, who supported me this year. It would have been impossible without their help, attention, and encouragement.”
The College, which is part of the Nord Anglia Education group, builds on the successful model of its sister school – Oxford International College – and offers pre-GCSE, GCSE and A level courses for both British and international students. In addition to this year’s GCSE results, the College is also celebrating the success of its first cohort of A level students, who recently completed their AS examinations.
Tess St Clair-Ford, principal, OIC Brighton said: “We are incredibly proud of our first-ever GCSE cohort, who have completed up to nine GCSE qualifications in just one academic year and achieved some fantastic results. Their outcomes are testament to their hard work and ambition, as well as the expertise and guidance of our brilliant founding academic team here at OIC Brighton.”
Headington School results dayAt girls’ day and boarding Headington School in Oxford, nearly one in three GCSEs at grade 9. Twenty-four students achieved ten or more GCSEs at grade 8 or above. Ten students achieved ten or more 9s and six secured straight 9 grades.
Nearly a third of the year group – 44 girls – achieved at least ten 7 grades. The results mean that, overall, 58.5% of exams were graded 8 or above and 78.8% a 7 or higher.
Franca recorded ten 9s and an 8. She said the only surprises opening her envelope were “happy surprises”. Franca, who will now study biology, chemistry and maths A levels alongside further maths AS Level and an EPQ, is now looking forward to staying at Headington for her sixth-form studies.Headington also recorded exceptional drama results. Here 88.5% of pupils achieved an 8 or higher. In science subjects, more than half of all grades in chemistry and physics were 9s. Three-quarters of 3D design results – the first year for this subject – were at least a 7.
Also reflecting the enthusiasms, passions and skills of pupils in its extra-curricular programme, Headington ran an extra-curricular electronics club with the option to take an additional GCSE in the subject. Both girls sitting the exam achieved a grade 9.
Alongside excellent results in the core languages of French, German and Spanish (79% were 7s or higher), Headington’s GCSE results reflect the school’s diversity and international outlook. Headington supports students to sit GCSEs in their native languages where possible. This year students achieved fantastic results in Chinese, Modern Greek, Italian, Portuguese, Russian and Turkish.
Headmistress Caroline Jordan said: “I am so proud of what the girls have achieved across such a diverse range of subject choices. They have worked incredibly hard and their results are richly deserved. I very much look forward to seeing them turning their attention to the next step on their academic journey.”
From September 2024, Headington School will merge with Rye St Antony to form Headington Rye Oxford, a school for girls aged 3–18 and boys aged 3–11.
At independent day and boarding school (13-18) Clifton College in Bristol, students receiving their GCSE results had plenty of reasons to celebrate. Over a fifth (21%) of GCSE grades were 9s and 54% were 9–7 among the 31 different subjects offered.
Head of College, Dr Tim Greene, said: “I would like to congratulate all our pupils on securing such an excellent set of results. Today we have seen that the hard work of the pupils and the support of their teachers have really paid off. I very much look forward to welcoming all the pupils back in a few weeks as they start their post-16 studies, ready to enjoy all that the Sixth Form has to offer.”
Deputy Head Academic, Dr Gavin Turner, said: “Our Year 11 cohort have posted an excellent set of GCSE results and I congratulate them on their achievements. This follows last week’s pleasing A level and BTEC results and paves the way for a very strong showing in two year’s time when this cohort is at the top of the school. There are some excellent individual successes and I commend them for their hard work across the two years of GCSE study and throughout the examination period. Very well done to all!”
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