Ready for next step Looking to future after GCSE success
Pupils across the Tewkesbury area have been celebrating excellent GCSE results – and some were simply ‘thrilled’. Sophie Flowers found out all about the results
Tewkesbury School HEADTEACHER Gary Watson said: “Anxious students and their parents arrived early at Tewkesbury School this morning to discover whether they had achieved their potential in the summer’s examinations.
“Results improved once again at Tewkesbury School in both academic and vocational qualifications with many students, parents and teachers simply thrilled with the outcomes of their collective endeavours.
“Several students achieved at the highest grades with one, Serafina Coupe, achieving all grade 9s, which is an outstanding achievement.
“Large numbers of students now progress to A levels and college programmes, while some have already begun apprenticeships and others entered the employment market.
“Each one deserves our congratulations for the way in which they approached their exams and handled the associated stresses and strains. We wish them all well for their futures whatever their chosen pathway.
Bredon School
BREDON School announced another great set of results.
Across BTEC Level 1 and 2 subjects, a 100 per cent pass rate has been achieved and 61 per cent of this year’s GCSE subjects were at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C).
Headteacher Koen Claeys was delighted. He said: “We’re privileged to teach wonderful children at Bredon School and they have worked hard over the last two years to produce some impressive results today.
“As a school specialising in teaching children with dyslexia and additional learning needs, I am pleased with our headline figures but individual stories are always more important and there will be many pupils today who are thrilled with their results, having achieved their personal best. I am very proud of what this fantastic cohort of pupils has achieved today.”
As a dyslexia specialist school, Bredon offers pupils the opportunity to study traditional GCSE courses alongside a large range of BTEC qualifications and vocational courses. The school is particularly proud of its English IGCSE results, which saw 72 per cent of pupils obtaining grades 9 to 4.
This year’s subject strengths also include food and nutrition, with 90 per cent of pupils awarded grades 9 to 4 and 88 per cent of photography pupils achieving grades 9 to 4.
For BTEC and vocational courses, 56 per cent of pupils achieved Distinction* to Merit, up from 35 per cent in 2018.
A total of 100 per cent of the school’s BTEC Level 2 agriculture pupils were awarded Distinction*.
There have also been some excellent individual successes:
Mark Blenkinsop has achieved six GCSES at 8 to 5, including 8 for maths and photography, a Distinction* in business Level 2 and an additional maths qualification.
Olivia Lowe has been awarded seven qualifications, including a Distinction* for her agriculture BTEC.
Ben Rimmer has achieved seven qualifications, including a grade 7 for his maths GCSE and 6 for his double science and geography GCSES.
Flo Ellis was awarded a 7 for her art and design GCSE, a 6 for her food and nutrition GCSE as well as four more GCSES and BTECS.
Mr Claeys continued: “This year group has achieved so much both in and outside of the classroom and these results today show the ongoing hard work, determination and commitment of both our pupils and staff.
“It is very pleasing to see that our pupils have done well academically but have also taken full advantage of the all-round education that Bredon School provides.
“We now look forward to guiding them as they move into their sixthform studies and I wish them all every success for this next phase of their journey.”
Winchcombe School
IN all core departments (English, maths and science), pupils at Winchcombe School exceeded national averages in the grade 9 to 4 measure, including students achieving the highest grade 9s in English language and mathematics.
In English, 78 per cent of students received a grade 4+, with 11 per cent achieving the very top grades (7 to 9) in English language and 10 per cent in English literature.
In maths, 76 per cent of students received a grade 4+, with 16 per cent achieving 7 to 9.
Other successful departments include religious studies, PE, music and drama. In light of national concerns that “arts” subjects are not being entered, Winchcombe was pleased to buck this trend and achieve outstanding results.
Deputy headteacher Stuart Clarkson said: “Our students worked hard over five years to achieve and, in many cases, over-achieve in their GCSES.
“Hard work, focused attention in lessons and working together with staff, have been behind these results. We wish them success in post-16 and future careers.
“We look forward to the new term with students and further progress next year.”