CITY STUDENTS MAKE THE GRADE DESPITE TESTING TIMES
Pupils across Sunderland are celebrating after picking up their GCSE results today.
This year’s results have been mired in controversy after a Government U-turn meant grades could be based on teachers’ predictions.
And about 200,000 Btec pupils were left waiting today following a last-minute review of grades.
Southmoor Academy vice-principal Sammy Wright is Lead for Schools and Higher Education on the national Social Mobility Commission and has been less than impressed with Whitehall’s handling of the row over GCSE and A-level grades and the distress caused to pupils, families and teachers.
“It would have been perfectly possible to design a core process that would have what schools have done in a fair way and given good grades,” he said.
"What the Government has done, and what we have had, is the worst of both worlds.”
Among those celebrating at Southmoor were Alice Ward and Christopher Watson, who both achieved 10 maximum grade-nine passes and have their sights set on studying medicine.
"I have always done well in school and I have always loved coming to school, but to have it all documented on a piece of paper? I can't even think of a word for it,” said Alice.
St Aidan's Catholic Academy head Glen Sanderson was pleased with this year’s results. "We are extremely proud of the results we have achieved at both A-level and GCSE,” he said.
John Harris secured a straight 10 grade-nines. "I am really relieved that everything I have done has paid off," he said.
"My teachers saw what I was trying to do and that I was working hard."
St Anthony's deputy head Marie Lanaghan added: "It has been a very difficult year, but the pupils have been very positive and very optimistic."
Beth Connors swept the board, with 11 grade-nines: "I am really pleased with how I have done - it is better than I was expecting," she said.
Beth will study maths, biology and chemistry at Alevel.
Sandhill View’s Anthony Butts is off to college to study engineering after securing three 8s, one 7, three 6s and a 5: "It's about the same as I was expecting, so I'm quite happy," he said.
The former Grindon Hall
Christian School changed its name to Christ’s College when it joined the Emmanuel Schools Foundation multiacademy trust in May last
Among the individual GCSE success stories was Chloe Little, who was top student with seven grade 9s, two grade 8s and a grade 7.
She said: “I was really nervous about getting my results, but I’m very happy with what I got,” she said.
Durham High School saw more than a quarter of all entries awarded the top grade of 9 and 52% of entries Grade 9-8. Over 70% were awarded Grade 9-7.
Headmistress Simone Niblock said: “We are delighted for our girls, for what they have achieved with this remarkable set of results.”
Jill Colbert, Chief Executive at Together for Children, said: “Pupils, parents and school staff alike have faced incredibly challenging circumstances over the past few months and they should all be immensely proud of the way they have adapted.”