Kennet students are top-class
Last Thursday hundreds of pupils across West Berkshire received their GCSE results. The NWN team reports from schools across the district. Reporting team: Sarah Bosley, Hinna Aamani, Cameron Blackshaw, Robbie Stelling, Dan Cooper and Niki Hinman. Photogra
THERE were smiles all round at Kennet School with 74 per cent of pupils passing five or more qualifications including English and mathematics.
The school is celebrating the performance in the top range of results, with 26 per cent of all grades being between 7 and 9 – which are A and A* equivalents.
This year’s results have been called “some of the best that the school has ever seen”.
Of all subjects, performances were best in chemistry and physics, with 62 per cent of pupils achieving high-level grades.
Maryam Putwa achieved four 9s, five 8s and a 7 and is looking to study biology, chemistry and sociology at sixth form.
She said: “What I have got, I am happy with, but I do feel like I haven’t processed it yet.
“I am going to go home, tell my parents what I got in person and spend time with family. I think we are going to make a cake.”
Also celebrating with cake is Lola Milroy-Tompkins, who achieved six 9s and four 8s.
She said: “I think for some reason I have more adrenaline now that I have seen them.
“I feel very privileged that I had the opportunity to show off in an exam and I am really proud that I demonstrated that I can do very well despite the circumstances we had in Year 10.
“I am going to go home to mum who is baking a big chocolate cake.”
Jay Parmer achieved eight 9s and two 8s and hopes that one day he’ll be able to continue his studies in France.
“I really want to study in France and become fluent in another language, but also the tuition fees there are cheaper,” he said.
“Exams were quite stressful and difficult, but at least I got to take exams. I am feeling good now.”
For now Jay will be staying at Kennet for sixth form to study French, art and photography.
Aimee Dickson received five 9s, four 8s and one 7. She said: “I am feeling happy. I can’t be disappointed with what I got.
“I didn’t sleep much last night. This morning I looked at the grade boundaries when they came out and tried to guess what I got.”
She said that she appreciated the support she received throughout her GCSE journey.
“The teachers had been really helpful, especially with subject teachers trying to help you to do your best,” she said.
“They had extra study sessions at lunch and after Covid it was nice to have that extra support.”
She will be staying at Kennet to study PE, biology, mathematics and further maths.
Jessica Abraham achieved nine 9s and one 7. She is hoping to study mathematics, computing, music and music tech at A-level with the hope to venture somewhere in the music or computing industries.
Marc Denis was pleased with receiving six 9s, three 8s and two 7s.
He will be studying mathematics, further maths, computing and economics at A-level and looks forward to the freedom that will come with focusing more on subjects that he enjoys.
Erin O-Donoghue received seven 9s, two 8s and one 7 and said she did not think she would have done as well as she did. “I am less stressed now,” she said.
Headteacher Gemma Piper, who is soon due to become full-time trust CEO after five years as head, said: “It has been a very invigorating day.
“The majority of pupils are just absolutely enthralled with their results.”
She said that the school has been adding assessments in order to normalise the GCSE experience for pupils. “There is no reason for this experience to feel strange for them,” she said. “What is really important is for a young person to understand and know themselves as a learner.”
Current senior deputy headteacher Grace Rigg, who will take on Mrs Piper’s role in September, said: “Kennet has a really special community, when I had the opportunity to take acting headship, it was something I was really excited to do.
“Our position is strong, but there are always areas where it could be better.”