Bridgwater area pupils celebrate GCSE success

A total of 5,429,478 GCSE results were issued, with the proportion of those achieving at least a C grade has rising again, despite top grades have falling for the fourth year in a row.

In total, almost seven in ten (69 per cent) entries were awarded A*-C, up 0.2 percentage points on 2014, official figures show.

The national figures, published by the Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ), also show that the gender gap has narrowed slightly this summer, with 73.1 per cent of girls’ entries awarded at least a C grade, compared to 64.7 per cent of boys’.

The statistics demonstrate that the numbers of students taking languages at GCSE has plummeted again, with even Spanish, which has bucked the trend in recent years, seeing a fall in numbers.

Overall, entries for French were down 6.2 per cent, German entries were down 9.8 per cent and Spanish down 2.4 per cent.

Grades for languages have improved though, the JCQ said, suggesting that this could be down to brighter candidates continuing to study the subject.

JCQ director general Michael Turner said: “At a national level there is very little change in this year’s results but we do see educational policies continuing to have an effect on entry patterns and results at a subject level. This is particularly the case in English, mathematics and the sciences.”

In Somerset, students were celebrating their individual grades.

Pupils from Bridgwater College Academy, Haygrove School, Robert Blake Science College, Chilton Trinity School and Brymore Academy all had reasons to raise the roof, with each school boasting an impressive set of exam results once again.

Somerset County Council have offered their congratulations to all those who collected their grades.

Cllr Frances Nicholson said: “One of the great things about my role is the chance to meet with young people and share moments like this.

“What is clear is how hard all our students have worked leading up to today and it was wonderful to see the delight of so many young people as they picked up their results.
“While many students got the results they wanted, or even surpassed their expectations, there is obviously disappointment for others.

“My message to you is, please don’t be too downhearted. There are always options remaining – get in touch with your school or local college and seek advice.”

A massive 77 per cent of Haygrove School students have achieved five or more A* to C GCSE grades this year, including English and maths.

The percentage of high flyers was also up this year, with 25 per cent of all GCSE grades awarded being at the highest level of A or A* and 52 per cent of students achieved a grade B or above in five or more of their GCSEs.

There are many individual success stories amongst the overall statistics.

Ten hard-working youngsters were awarded grade A or A* in at least 10 of their subjects.

The top ten students amongst the Year 11 group were Helana Edginton (8A* and 3A), Olivia Shorthouse (7A* and 4A), Georgia Smith (7A* and 3A), Adephi Eden (6A* and 4A), Ross French (5A* and 5A) Lewis Lloyd (5A* and 6A), Luke Moll (4A* and 5A), Sam Hunt (4A* and 4A), Holleigh Isaac-Young (2A* and 7A) and Amiee Bancroft (2A* and 6A).

Three students whose results demonstrate outstanding progress are Edward Amatillo, Joseph Addison and Lauren Almond.

Picking up her results envelope at 9.30am, Olivia was very happy with her grades which will now enable her to study A Levels at Richard Huish College in Taunton and hopefully fulfil her ultimate ambition to follow a career in medicine.

Georgia Smith, Luke Moll and Ross French were also up early and keen to find out how they had got on after the stress of the summer exams, and all three were all delighted to get such excellent results.

They will all be heading off to college in a few weeks to begin their A Level courses.

Head teacher Mrs Canham said: “I am extremely proud of all our students and of our staff.

“They have all worked tirelessly in order to achieve these outstanding results.

“For some there have been challenges along the way, but with the on-going support of teachers, support staff and parents, the hard work has paid off.

“As ever we are also grateful to our local primary schools who provide the firm foundations from which our students progress so well.

“I’d like to wish each and every one of our departing students the best for the next stage of their learning.”

Delighted students at Bridgwater College Academy had reason to celebrate last Thursday with an excellent set of GCSE results.

More than 60 per cent of students gained those important five or more GCSEs, including English and maths, with 75 per cent of them achieving a C grade or better.

Individuals with particularly outstanding performances include Rheanne Lee, who achieved four A*s and eight As; Mylie Gardner, with two A*s and eight As; Sam Crossman, with two A*s, three As and six Bs; Lauren Gathercole, with three A*s, five As and two Bs; and Bethany Field, with three A*s, three As, three Bs and two Cs.

Bridgwater College Academy’s executive head teacher, Peter Elliott, said: “These are the best results the Academy has ever achieved.

“We are extremely proud of all the students who were so dedicated to achieving their best and who are now moving on to study at Bridgwater College.

“Once the full analysis has been completed, we expect again to have some of the highest rates of progress in English and maths.”

STUDENTS at Chilton Trinity are celebrating yet again after yet another encouraging set of GCSE results to cap off a brilliant year.

Happy students collected their results which showed success across many subjects including an increase in the number of students achieving the top grades and the progress of students in receipt of pupil premium.

Individual success stories include Robbie Woodley (5A*, 6A); Emily Harwood (2A*, 4A); Lydia Bown (3A*, 5A, 1B and A* for Extended project at AS level); Grace Callaghan (5A); Nikita Austin (1A*, 3A, 4B); Miles Fisher (3A*, 4A, 4B, A for Additional Maths).

Richards Krinicks and Everita Praskevica, who have only been in the country for one year, achieved 3A*, 7A, and 5Bs between them.

It is difficult to single out individual achievements but sStudents who made outstanding progress compared to their target grades across all their subjects include Alicia Newman, Leo Willis, Alice Atherton, Kate Dickinson and Sam Hutter.

Headteacher Lesley Greenway said: “It has been a brilliant year and all the hard work and commitment of staff, students and parents has, in most cases, been rewarded.
“We wish all our leavers every success in the next stage of their journey. Well done to students, staff, parents, carers, governors and our feeder schools.”

STUDENTS and staff from Robert Blake Science College are over the moon with yet another set of successful GCSE results.

Headteacher Rob Gammon said: “These outcomes are the result of the hard work of the students, the support of their family and friends and the dedication of the staff at the school.

“There were a large number of individual successes at all ability levels and behind every set of examination results there is a personal story of hard work, commitment and perseverance of which we are keen to celebrate.

“We have worked very hard with students this year to ensure that the progress that they make is good, based on their individual starting point. We are keen to celebrate this progress with our students today.

“This was a fantastic year group with an excellent attitude and we are very proud of them

“These results now allow the students to as they take the next step in education or training.”

BRYMORE Academy’s class of 2015 have proved themselves to be the most successful year group yet.

Not only did they match last year’s efforts, they have also surpassed previous years, achieving the highest percentage of 5 A*-C grades, including English and maths, in the school’s history – more than doubling last year’s grades.

They boys achieved an unprecedented number of A grades and A*s in Maths, where results soared to 60 per cent, making it likely the department will improve on last year’s achievement of being in the top 15 per cent of Maths departments nationally.

Last year’s science grades were maintained, with a marked increase in other areas, such as Art – up to 80 per cent C grade and above – and PE, whose results have more than doubled on last year.

Headteacher Mr Thomas said: “What makes us so proud of these boys in particular, is knowing that their ability profile is no different from previous years – and yet they have done so well.

“As ever, they have proved that if you work hard and expect more, you achieve more.

“I’d like to thank the dedicated staff in each area who have worked tirelessly both in school and out of school, in the evenings and at weekends to ensure that they got the best possible grades. It truly has been a team effort”.

Notable students include Bertie Mountford, who was deputy head boy and also achieved a string of A grades and Distinctions.

He is joined in this achievement by Taylar Weatherby, who achieved A*s in DT and maths, with an A in science and distinctions in horticulture and engineering.

Arthur Chandler gained As in DT and maths, with distinctions in horticulture and engineering.