Golden days for GCSE students

8:31am Thursday 28th August 2008

Comments (0)   Have your say »

SCHOOLS and students have been celebrating after achieving record-breaking GCSE results.

The waiting was over for hundreds of pupils last Thursday when they collected their life-changing results.

There were celebrations at Ludlow CE School, which improved its results for the fifth year running. The number of pupils achieving five A*-C GCSEs reached a record high of 66%, up 5% on last year and 28% on 2003.

The pass rate reached 75% in the school’s specialist subject areas of design technology and physical education, while more than 90% of pupils sitting drama and French were marked A-C.

Headteacher Phil Poulton said the improvements were down to hard work, revision, and strong teaching in the core subjects.

“There are some amazing results – straight A*s and As, as well as students who have exceeded expectations at other grades,” he said.

There were similar scenes at Tenbury High School, where 65% of the pupils gained five or more A*-C grades. A further 70% of all the grades awarded were of higher level and all 90 pupils who sat exams gained five or more passes at grade A*-G.

Stuart Cooke, the school’s head, praised the efforts of staff and students, and said he was “really pleased” with the results. “There were some excellent results and it is heartening to see them students rewarded for their hard work,” he said.

Top performer was Sally Neath, who is dreaming of Oxford or Cambridge after claiming nine A*s and one A from her 10 exams.

“I couldn’t get to sleep the night before and it’s such a relief it’s all over – I’m so happy with the results,” she said.

Emily Tonks, who collected three A*s, six As and one B, was equally pleased, and praised the school’s after-school revision classes. “I was really shocked I did so well. I couldn’t bring myself to open the envelope, but when my mum started jumping around I knew I did OK,” she said.

Students at Lacon Childe School, Cleobury Mortimer, had a record-breaking year with 69% of pupils gaining five or more higher level passes. Natalie Bate, Stef Walford and Annie Foster were among the top performers, while 42 Year 9 children passed their German GCSE exams two years early.

Allan Gilhooley, headteacher, said everyone connected with the school should feel proud. “We are very pleased with this outstanding gold medal performance of children and the school’s overall results,” he said.