GCSE

NEWBURY NEWS GCSE RESULTS

Thursday, August 29, 2019 14

Newbury Weekly News

Happy Harry hails 12 9s High-achieving Trinity pupil thanks parents, teachers and friends for their support

AT Trinity School, star performer Harry Craig opened 12 9s, the equivalent of 12 strong A*s. He said: “I’m very pleased. I can’t quite believe it. “I was expecting good results, but not that good. Not straight 9s. That was a bit of a shock. “I had high expectations of myself, but didn’t want to put too much pressure on. “The teachers have been really good. Every single one has helped me at every point. “Obviously there’s an element of talent there, but I wouldn’t have done it without the support of my parents, teachers and friends.” Having told his parents his results, he said: “I think it’s fair to say they are quite happy.” Other top performers at Trin- ity included Amy Fleming, Jai Chupreecha, Aleks Cummins, Abel Russell, Matthew Davis, Zahra Smith, Rebecca Porter, Ellousie Greenall and Ethan Sheard. English and mathematics witnessed a 57 per cent pass at grade 4 and above. There was a 100 per cent pass rate in German, with 96 per cent of pupils taking biology, chem- istry and physics achieving grades 9-4. The pass rate in English was 67 per cent, with mathematics at 65 per cent. The photography pass mark was 95 per cent, childcare 76, art Report by JOHN HERRING email john.herring@newburynews.co.uk twitter johnh_nwn

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75 and product design 70. Subjects achieving the highest grades, 9-7, were biology (43 per cent), chemistry and physics (41 per cent), dance (39 per cent) and geography (31 per cent). Headteacher Charlotte Wilson said: “I’m very happy with the results. We are up on last year in all measures. “Speaking to the students, they have said they found them chal- lenging, but they have put the work in. “They have been a really hard- working year group and the results have paid off.” Two thirds of pupils will be staying on at Trinity for their A- levels. “We are confident they will be the leaders of the future and with the excellent qualifications, skills and qualities they have already gained, they are in the best place to do this,” the school said.

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Grade system explained PUPILS from across West Berkshire and North This year is the second of a new grading system.

Hampshire collected their GCSE results last Thursday. The Newbury Weekly News team of reporters and photographers were at schools across the region to get the reactions from pupils

Instead of A*-G grades, numbers from one to nine are awarded. With so many pupils achieving As and A*s under the old system, the new numbering grade was devised to provide some form of differentiation among higher- achieving students.

and headteachers as the envelopes were opened.

Reports and pictures by Steve Ambrose, Charlotte Booth, Phil Cannings, Dan Cooper , John Garvey, Liam Headd and John Herring

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NEWBURY NEWS GCSE RESULTS

Thursday, August 29, 2019 15

Newbury Weekly News

Ready to start next stage of journey The vast majority of pupils will enter ‘flourishing’ sixth form Report by LIAMHEADD email liam.headd@newburynews.co.uk twitter @liamh_nwn

quite an easy decision to make and stay here.” Benjamin Prout was also thrilled with his results. He received nine grades rang- ing from 4-9, including a 9 in English literature and he will be staying on at Park House for his A-levels. He said: “I am over the moon really. I am quite surprised and it’s given me hope towards what I can do in the future and what that little bit of motivation and posi- tivity can do for me.” Benjamin was thankful for the teachers, who he said played a big part in helping him secure the grades he did. “I owe everything to them,” he said. “The mathematics depart- ment have pulled me through and I owe them so much. “They have not only helped me with the end result, they have given me the confidence that I need and it’s meant the world to me what they have done for me.” Holly Herd is also staying on at the school’s sixth form, studying drama, psychology, mathematics and English literature. “I was aiming really high so I am glad that I could reach my expectations,” she said. “I was a bit unsure on history, but I got a really good result in that and physics turned out fine.”

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PARK House School is once again celebrating after a strong set of GCSE results. An impressive 80.4 per cent of pupils achieved a standard pass in mathematics and 78.4 per cent in English with almost two-thirds achieving a strong pass in both. Headteacher Derek Peaple said he was delighted to be helping pupils continue their journey into sixth form after receiving good GCSE results. “We’re absolutely thrilled for these young people and they have done absolutely tremendously,” he said. “The progress is exceptional and that is a key thing that you look for when you progress right the way through the school. “The atmosphere is fabulous because you have shared that journey with them all and it’s great to see the parents too. “The vast majority of our students will be coming back into the sixth form and it’s flourish- ing, so we can’t wait to see them back so we can start the next stage of the journey. “It’s all about the young people working with the staff that they trust, alongside their parents as well, and that’s why you get this sort of celebration.”

Aaron Benham said he was happy that his effort and determi- nation has paid off. He said: “It’s been quite hard actually and I am hoping to stay on at the sixth form doing further mathematics, mathematics, computer science and business studies. “I think statistics was quite challenging because I didn’t understand it at first, but I am happy with the results I got. “I really know the school so it’s

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NEWBURY NEWS GCSE RESULTS

Thursday, August 29, 2019 16

Newbury Weekly News

ST BART’S ‘We ’re like a second family for them, which is what we like ’ Report by LIAMHEADD email liam.headd@newburynews.co.uk twitter @liamh_nwn ‘It has been an exceptional year’

getting results they need, many will be returning,” she said, “There is a huge percentage of our students that will be progressing on to our sixth form and we’ll also welcome other people from others too. “We’re like a second family for them, which is what we like and I am really pleased.” Siena Hickmore is one pupil who will be staying on at St Bartholomew’s sixth form and is excited about the next challenge. She said: “I am staying at sixth form and will be doing mathemat- ics, physics, English literature and history and the grades I got in those subjects were really good. “I am absolutely over the moon because I tried so hard and revised an awful lot.” Siena admitted that she was worried as soon as the exams were over, but that soon turned to joy when she got her results at the school “After I had finished my exams I was panicking, but now it’s over and I have got my results I am so happy. “It was hard looking at the grade boundaries and seeing them being so high, but I am happy because I have done so well.”

MORE than 85 per cent of all GCSE grades were at 4 or higher at St Bartholomew’s School in Newbury. As well as this record-breaking figure, almost a third of all grades were at 7 or higher as the school celebrated another fantastic set of results. A total of 42 pupils achieved at least eight GCSEs at grade 7 or higher, with twins Harry and Jack Clarkson, Sanskriti Sahoo, Alex Jordan and Will Freer achieving an extraordinary total of 38 grade 9s between them. Headteacher Julia Mortimore expressed her delight at the school’s results, saying that progress has been made. “It has been an exceptional year and the students have made fantastic progress with over 84 per cent of them passing English and mathematics,” she said. “Over a third of the grades were 7 or higher, so there are some fantastic results and it’s down to their hard work and I am very proud.” And with the grades achieved, Ms Mortimore is happy to be welcoming many of her current pupils back to the school for sixth form. “With a number of students

It was a record-breaking set of results at St Bartholomew ’s Sch ol

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NEWBURY NEWS GCSE RESULTS

Thursday, August 29, 2019 17

Newbury Weekly News

KENNET Kennet School celebrates after a near 100 per cent pass rate Report by JOHN HERRING email john.herring@newburynews.co.uk twitter johnh_nwn Aimann achieves 14 grades at 9-7

Aimann Harba

“Let’s make sure you do the best you can.” When asked if she was expect- ing her results, Esme said: “In my dreams. “I just went away to the corner by myself and wanted to get it over with.” Esme, who opened 10 grades at 9-7, said she had found science particularly hard, but her teach- ers had helped her and checked with her and her parents that she was coping. The English pass rate was 74 per cent and 71 per cent for math- ematics. An impressive 468 individual grades were in the top bracket of 9- 7, meaning Kennet will be placed above the national average again. Geology and statistics recorded a 100 per cent pass rate (grades 9- 4). Drama and biology recorded 94 per cent, music 93, chemistry 92, physics 92, Executive headteacher Gemma Piper said: “I’m really pleased. “There have been some amaz- ing individual performances. “We are going to have a full sixth form for sure.” She said it was difficult to draw comparisons between the cohorts of this year and the previous year, but added: “I’m really proud of what they have achieved. “An average grade of 5 is a strong grade for this cohort.”

and they push students to their limits.” Holly said of her 11 grades at 9- 7, of which five were 9s: “I didn’t think it was possible. “I just never thought it would actually happen. “I got good results in the mocks, but thought that was luck. “I did GCSEs in Year 9 and they felt a lot easier. “It does feel harder under the new grading system. “Kennet helps if you want it to. “Kennet takes what you have and helps. I don’t think I would have been able to do it on my own.” Kian, who had 12 grades at 9-7, said: “I’m really happy with them. “Part of it was me, but part of it is Kennet pushing me to get the best I could but it was worth it in the end. “It’s positive pressure. More encouragement rather than ‘you must get this’ and ‘you can do this’. “ Kennet takes what you have and helps. I don’t think I would have been able to do it on my own

KENNET School celebrated another successful year of GCSE results with a high number of pupils achieving top grades. The school missed out on a 100 per cent pass rate by a small frac- tion, however the average grade achieved by all pupils was a 5 (between a C and a B). Among the school’s high- performing pupils this year were Aimann Harba, Katie Dobbins, Lucy O’Donoghue, James Trena- man, William Greasley, Kian Lush, Scott Wallace, Freya Burgess, Holly Polding, Kienan Ruddock, Hasan Shahzad, Isabelle Farlow, Nathan Johnson, Esme Lister and Ryan Holmes. Aimann, who achieved 14 grades at 9-7 (A**-A), including seven 9s, and is hoping to read medicine after school, said: “I’m really happy. “I wasn’t expecting this. I didn’t think I did that good on the day, but apparently I did. “I wasn’t really expecting what I got, especially English as I had been doing badly throughout the year.” When asked how much the school had helped him, he said: “I think a lot of it is Kennet. “It has really good facilities

Pupils at The Downs

THE DOWNS ‘Resilience and determination’ THE Downs School, Compton, is “delighted and proud” of its GCSE results. In total, 14 per cent of all grades were at 9/8, while 25 per cent of pupils achieved grades 9-7. The picture was similarly rosy for vocational pupils.

Esme Lister

taught and supported them and, as ever, the excellent support given by parents. “As a school community we feel a huge sense of achievement because we know that our Year 11 students now have the skills and attributes to allow them to achieve success in the next stage of their careers. “We are also delighted that the majority will remain with us in our sixth form.” Deputy headteacher Carol Butler echoed Mr Prosser’s senti- ments, saying: “I would like to pay tribute to all those staff who have worked tirelessly to give all students the best opportunity to achieve results which will enable them to take their next step forward with confidence.”

Almost 22 per cent of voca- tional pupils achieved a distinc- tion* – the highest possible grade – with 30 per cent attaining at least a distinction. In all, 81 per cent of pupils achieved at least a pass (4-9) in English and mathematics, with 56 per cent being awarded a strong pass (5-9) in the subjects. Headteacher Chris Prosser said of the results: “I am delighted and proud of our students’ achievements this year. “They have shown much resilience and determination to achieve so well in an examination systemwhich has become so chal- lenging in many respects. “Congratulations also to the teachers who have expertly

Kian Lush

Holly Polding

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NEWBURY NEWS GCSE RESULTS

Thursday, August 29, 2019 18

Newbury Weekly News

‘And we’ve smashed it again’ Thrilled principal of St Gabriel ’s pays tribute to the ’versatility and adaptability of our young people ’ Report by DAN COOPER email dan.cooper@newburynews.co.uk twitter @danc_nwn

MARY HARE

‘Barriers overcome’ MARY Hare School said it was pleased with its GCSE results this year, despite exam changes making it harder for deaf pupils. Among the school’s notable GCSE successes this year, was Benedict Morgan, who got 9s in chemistry and English literature, as well as two 8s, and three 7s. The school also praised Rebecca Dakin, who got a 9 in food technology. Principal Peter Gale said: “Mary Hare provides education to a wide range of deaf students, some, very able and others facing a range of challenges directly or indirectly caused by their deafness. “Therefore we celebrate the high grades at GCSE, which demonstrate our academic ambi- tions while equally celebrating the much more modest achieve- ments of others – remembering that these represent huge progress for the individual. “We look carefully at the indi- vidual needs of each student and offer a curriculum that will give them the best chance of success both in terms of qualifications, but also wider opportunities to move on to their chosen next steps. I am very proud of what our students achieve.” Vice principal, education and curriculum, Simon Thompson, said: “The new GCSE system means that deaf pupils have addi- tional difficulties to face and they have to work that much harder to overcome the barriers presented by their deafness. I want to say well done to all our GCSE students.”

ST GABRIEL’S them joining the sixth form next month.” Elizabeth Edwards, who has been at St Gabriel’s since she was just three years old, achieved three 8 grades, five 7s and an A* in further mathematics. The 16-year-old, from Kingsclere, is staying on at the school for her A-levels.. She said: “I’m really pleased with my results. I’m just ecstatic, but also very relieved. “You always hope to do well but you never know how the exam has gone until you open the enve- lope.” She added: “I’m staying on at St Gabriel’s because I absolutely love it here. I don’t ever want to leave.” Meanwhile, Mimi Bennett achieved an 8 (English litera- ture), five 7s (geography, English, Italian, religious studies and photography), two 6s and two 5s. As a result, she is off to Peter Symonds College, Winchester, to study her A-levels. She said she was “really happy” with her grades. Annabelle Gibson achieved an impressive six 9s, two 8s and two 6s. She said the results were better than she was expecting and she is now heading to Queen Mary’s College, Basingstoke, to study mathematics, further mathemat- ics, chemistry and psychology.

FOLLOWING its best A-level performance, St Gabriel’s School was celebrating again after an impressive set of GCSEs. More than 55 per cent of all grades were at 9-7 (A*-A). In total, 42 per cent of all indi- vidual science results were at 9/8, as well as 50 per cent of mathe- matics results being 9-7. The school said: “These outstanding results show the commitment, hard work and dedication that the pupils and staff have put in to make sure that this success has been achieved.” In the individual subjects, 100 per cent of Greek and 80 per cent of technology results were at 9/8. Principal Ricki Smith said: “I think last year I said we ‘smashed it’ in terns of our GCSE results. Well, we smashed our A-levels last week and we’ve smashed it again in this year’s GCSEs. “We are thrilled to be celebrat- ing some truly exceptional results. “Every year there is a great deal written about falling stan- dards, which seems unjustified at a time when we should be paying tribute to the versatility and adaptability of our young people and the teachers that prepare them for their public exams. “This cohort has done wonder- fully well and we look forward to

Celebrations at St Gabriel’s Schoolresultsday

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NEWBURY NEWS GCSE RESULTS

Thursday, August 29, 2019 19

Newbury Weekly News

THEALE GREEN ‘This is a turning point’ CORINNA Bartle was one of a number of pupils at Theale Green School who were jump- ing for joy –- and little wonder. She achieved a spectacular six GCSEs at the very top grades, including two grade 9s in English (as well as three more high passes). attending our now famous Past Paper Friday. Praises for pupils and teachers for putting ’excellent school back on right track ’

PANGBOURNE COLLEGE Pleased with value added

Elsewhere, arts and humani- ties pupils also performed well. A 100 per cent pass rate was reported by the drama depart- ment, while 58 per cent of pupils achieved 9/7 grades. High achievers included Andrew Mullins, who was awarded nine passes at grade 8 or above, Laurence Livesey, who attained eight 9s, and Josie Symons, who achieved seven GCSEs at grade 8/9. Andrew said of his results: “I felt I did pretty well, I’m pleased. “I’ll be staying on at Pang- bourne for sixth form and it’s exciting to be able to choose your own subjects and really get stuck into them, I’m really looking forward to it.” Key Stage 4 head Sam Green- wood said: “We are really pleased with the value added at GCSE here, where on average pupils have outperformed their govern- ment predicted outcomes. “A high percentage achieved five good passes including English and mathematics, and there were some really impres- sive individual performances as well. “The college is very much look- ing forward to seeing what this great year group can do in sixth form.”

PANGBOURNE College is cele- brating after 91 per cent of its GCSE pupils passed their exams. In all, 35 per cent achieved grades 9-7 – the equivalent of A*- A. Overall, 94 per cent of pupils racked up at least five passes, including in English and mathe- matics. A total of 61 per cent achieved grades 9-7 in their English GCSE. There was an equally strong showing in science subjects, with 50 per cent of students achieving grades 9-7 in an individual exam. Every pupil in the year passed with a science GCSE. Head of science Stewart McKane said: “The results show how hard some of the pupils have worked and I am really proud of them, and of how the teachers have delivered the courses. “Since the implementation of the new specification we have listened closely to the feedback of the exam boards and worked hard to make sure we can deliver in the best style for our pupils – everyone learns in their own way, we have made sure it works as well as possible for everyone here and it is pleasing to see this reflected in the results.”

“They should be exceptionally proud of their effort and commit- ment and we can’t wait for them to become our newest group of sixth form students.” Activate Learning Education Trust (ALET) chief executive Joanne Harper said: “It has been a real pleasure to see Theale Green School begin its journey of transformation this year. “The ALET board are so delighted to see how new and strong leadership, combined with the determination of the whole Theale Green School community to succeed, has, after 10 or so years, now put this excellent school back on the right track. “Congratulations to all of the students and the staff on their terrific progress.”

BORED of a generic class- room? Do you want to get out into the real world and start making a difference? Childcare apprenticeships offer a fantastic, paid alternative to A-levels and BTECs, while ensuring you gain valuable vocational qualifications. This rewarding scheme enables you to learn and earn at the same time. At Jubilee you can guarantee no two days will ever be the same. Jubilee believes children should be outside making memories and learning from the world around them. With more than 60 acres of gardens, private woodland and a working farm, they create magical hands-on experiences that aren’t only engaging for children, but also Jubilee’s practitioners. A career in childcare is fun, varied and wholly focused on children and families. You need to be caring, patient, have lots of energy and enjoy meeting different people. Hear from some of the fantastic apprentices at Jubilee Day Nursery: Meet Abigail, 16, studying for her NVQ Level 2 Special congratulations also go to Sofianna Nouka who achieved grade 6 in both her English papers, having arrived from abroad to Theale Green School during KS4, learning English along the way. Also deserving congratulations is Joseph Buxton, who achieved GCSE results to be proud of while competing hard at national level in swimming. Diogo Mariano and Kathryn Ambrose both achieved an aver- age GCSE score of 8. Theale Green School has just been confirmed as a Grade 1 ALPS provider (the top one per cent in the country for sixth form provision). Headteacher Joanna Halliday, said: “This year has been a turn- ing point for Theale Green School that has been long awaited by the community. “After very strong A-level results, we are celebrating our GCSE results today. “The students, staff and parents have worked collectively together to raise standards of teaching and learning whilst keeping relationships and pastoral care at the forefront. “The students worked so hard for these results, attending Satur- day and holiday sessions, as well as two thirds of the year group

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NEWBURY NEWS GCSE RESULTS

Thursday, August 29, 2019 20

Newbury Weekly News

Hurst is best in county for science once again Headteacher says ‘I always want more, but I am ver y pleased with the students ’ Report by CHARLOTTE BOOTH email charlotte.booth@newburynews.co.uk twitter @charlotteb_nwn

THE HURST have been really successful this year.” Top performers Oliver O’Malley and Ellie Baird each achieved nine grade 9/8s. Oliver said: “My results are great. They were better than what I was expecting.” He plans to go to Peter Symonds College, Winchester, to study A-levels in mathematics, further mathematics, chemistry and psychology. Ellie plans to go to Queen Mary’s College, Basingstoke, to study A-levels in biology, chem- istry and mathematics. She said: “I don’t know how it happened. It’s crazy. I didn’t expect it at all.” She celebrated her results by going to Reading Festival for the first time.

THE Community College, Baughurst, is celebrat- ing a triple science success, surpassing last year’s results. Last year, the college was best in Hampshire for chemistry and physics and it has managed to top that with this year’s results. More than 60 per cent of pupils gained top grades 9/8 in biology, chemistry and physics and 76 per cent attained grade 4 or higher in English, mathematics and science. More than 20 per cent of the cohort achieved grades 9 to 7 in mathematics, geography and reli- gious studies. Headteacher Roger Jones said: “I’m very pleased with the results. “I always want more, but I am very pleased with the students who have worked really hard and Hurst

GCSE celebrations at The W illink

THE WILLINK Impressive English results

Marshall, Louis Le Bellego, Alexandra Young, Callum Skel- ton, Felix Rogers, Neil Joseph and Aiden Gosling. Headteacher Peter Fry said: “Students, staff, parents and governors of The Willink School are today celebrating another year of outstanding examination results. “With success across the board, results in English and mathematics were particularly impressive, with 92 per cent of students achieving at least a grade 4 in English and three quarters of students achieved a grade 5 or higher – defined by the Government as a ‘strong pass’ or better. “My thanks also go to our staff, who have worked tirelessly in supporting our students gain- ing such great results.”

AT The Willink School, Burghfield Common, the percentage of top grades 9-7 (the old A*-A) was almost 29 per cent, breaking the school’s previous best. In total, 86 per cent of pupils gained GCSE grades 4-9 in English and mathematics, while 64 per cent gained GCSE grades 5-9 in the two subjects. In the English Baccalaureate, 5.38 was the average points score. The following pupils achieved at least eight GCSE grades 9-7: Oliver Smith, Arianna Prosser, Sophie Ashton, Alex Hulley, Finlay Harrison, Beckie Edwards, Bea Cottee, Naomi Barlow, James Read, Daniel Penney, Jenny Hewison, Francesca Laven, Oliver Philpott, Hannah Mott, Mia

Asha Raja, 16, four 9s, four 7s and an A*; Johnathan Lund, 16 , one 9, two 8s, one 7, one 6, two 3s and a B; T om Reynolds, 16, three 8s, two 7s, two 6s, two 5s, one 4 and a C

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NEWBURY NEWS GCSE RESULTS

Thursday, August 29, 2019 21

Newbury Weekly News

JOHN O’GAUNT ‘This caps a brilliant year’ PUPILS at John O’Gaunt School in Hungerford are cele- brating a good set of results. Those who performed well included Matthew Morecroft, who achieved five grade 9s and five grade 8s. Headteacher hails pupils, parents and teachers after ‘incredible GCSE grades ’

said: “We are so very proud of every single one of our amazing students. “These are incredible GCSE grades and we want to thank them, their parents and carers, as well as our fabulous teachers and staff. “These results came on the back of a wonderful Ofsted report which capped a brilliant year.”

Others celebrating top grades included Caitlyn Gregory (two 9s, five 8s and three 7s), Alfie Cox (four 8s, two 7s, one 6 and three 5s), Caitlyn Digweed (three 9s, one 8, three 7s and two 6s), Emily Allsop (four 8s, three 7s and three 6s), Sam James (one 8, four 7s and three 6s), Naya Rota (three 8s, three 7s and three 6s) Headteacher Alan Henderson

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NEWBURY NEWS GCSE RESULTS

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Newbury Weekly News

THE CLERE Pride in pupils’ achievements at The Clere following school ’s ‘good’ Ofsted report Report by CHARLOTTE BOOTH email charlotte.booth@newburynews.co.uk twitter @charlotteb_nwn Headteacher: ‘This is a very good set of results’

BRADFIELD COLLEGE ‘It is great to see their

DOWNE HOUSE

84 per cent of pupils awarded 9-7 DOWNE House School had 84 per cent of its GCSE grades awarded at 9-7. Of these, just over 30 per cent were awarded were at grade 9, which exceeds the A* standard under the old grading system. A quarter of pupils at the independent boarding school for girls in Cold Ash achieved nine A* grades (grade 8-9) or above. Headmistress Emma McKendrick said: “These terrific results give us much cause for celebration. “I am extremely proud of the girls’ individual achievements and the consistency of our results over recent years. “This year was a year of national change with more demanding specifications across GCSE subjects and was the first year that numerical grades were challenges very well indeed. “I am extremely proud of the girls’ individual achievements “I am also grateful to our staff for their dedication and commitment which supported our pupils in achieving these results. “We look forward to seeing the girls raise the bar even further as they return to the sixth form ready to take on the challenge of applied to all subjects. “The girls rose to these

hard work bear fruit’

BRADFIELD College said its pupils had recorded another strong set of results, with more than 15 per cent of entries being awarded grade 9s. Thirty-five per cent of pupils scored 9 or 8 and 60 per cent were awarded 9-7. A number of individuals have returned some outstanding results. Abbie Deller achieved nine 9s and an 8, while Ellie Stopps and Rosie Bedford achieved nine 9s and a 7 and eight 9s, two 8s and an A* respectively. Special mention went to Keziah Carlier, Dilly Copeland, Kit Hobart and Henry Thornton who all achieved seven grade 9s. Deputy head (academic) Neil Burch said: “We are delighted for this group of Bradfieldians. “It is great to see their hard work bear fruit, particularly at the highest level given that they also contribute so strongly across the wider curriculum. “As ever, they have been superbly supported by our team of committed teachers and tutors. “We have no doubt pupils will relish the opportunities our sixth form has to offer.” performances include that of Darcey O’Leary, who achieved seven grade 8s and 9s alongside winning King Alfred’s X Factor and taking a lead role in this year’s musical production In The Heights . Other students who demonstrated significant achievement include: Eloise Brennan, Joseph Chambers, Clara Dunford, Finn Hadley- Burgess, Olivia Harvey, Freya Healy and Fleur Waterston, who have five or more Grade 9s alongside posting all their GCSE grades at 7 or higher. Benedict Pound secured 11 GCSEs at grade 5 or above, including a 9 in PE and an 8 in maths, enabling him to take up his place at the WASPS Academy at Henley College. Additionally, Gabi Rhodes achieved eight GCSEs at grade 4 or better (including a 7 in English) while representing England in Taekwondo. Vicky Low achieved 11 GCSEs at Grade 7 or above (including a 9 in biology and food and nutrition) while training in Southampton as part of the GB Talent Pathway for Diving. Alexia Hawkins achieved 10 GCSEs at grade 6 or above (including a 9 in maths, history and physics), while competing in cyclo-cross for GB. Mr Holroyd summed up: “King Alfred’s really does offer ‘Opportunity for All’ and a chance for each student to find out where their own special talents lie. We look forward to welcoming our students back to school in September, and meeting our new Y7 for the first time, as they start their own ‘King Alfred’s journey’.” s coaching at Cardiff Met. Notable Year 11 GCSE

literature. He said: “I am relieved. I have been silently stressed about it.” He will be going on to Peter Symonds College, Winchester, to study computer science, physics, mathematics and further mathe- matics. Marlene van der Giessen, 15, said she had been watching Dr Who to take her mind off the stress. She said: “I was stressed, but was trying not to think about it too much. I’m really happy with my results.” She got a 9 in mathematics, 8 in chemistry, biology and physics, 7 in English language and art. Marlene also intends to go to Peter Symonds to study A-levels in mathematics, further mathe- matics, biology and chemistry.

THE Clere School, Burghclere, is celebrating another good set of GCSE results. In total, 78 per cent of pupils achieved a grade 4 and above in mathematics, while 75 per cent got a grade 4 and above in English. Headteacher Benjamin Bond was pleased with the results. He said: “This is a very good set of results. It was important for the school to follow up the recent ‘good’ Ofsted inspection with a good set of exam results. “We are very proud of all our pupils; they have worked very hard for their success.” Josh Clutterbuck, 16, got a 9 in mathematics, 8 in chemistry, 7 in biology, physics and computer science, 6 in history and 5 in English language and English

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www.kaacademy.org • Email: enquiries@kaacademy.org KING ALFRED’S

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Top grades at King Alfred ’

Close to two thirds of the cohort secured grades 9-4 in English and mathematics, enabling them to progress to the next stage of their education, which for many will be continuing at King Alfred’s in the academy’s ‘Ofsted Outstanding’ sixth form. King Alfred’s Year 13 posted particularly impressive results in A-level English language, business studies, PE, music, film studies, product design, religious studies and sociology. The first cohort of pupils to complete the reformed BTEC level 3 courses performed strongly, with 38 per cent achieving the top ‘Distinction*’ and ‘Distinc- tion’ grades, having sat exams of comparable challenge to A-levels. Places on a broad range of university courses and higher-level apprenticeships have been secured. Congratulations go to Hannah Hooker who has secured a place at Warwick to read biomedical science with A-level grades A*A*A*, Ewan Robertson who has a place at Durham to read mathematics with A-level grades A*AABB, Freya Royan with A*A*A and a place at Exeter to read history, Oliver King with A*A*A and a place to read mechan- ical engineering at Southampton, Matthew Chambers with A*A*A*A and a place to read architecture at UCL, Holly Barrett A*A*A who will read neuroscience at Southampton and Caleb White who with A*AA will read history and politics at Sheffield. Millie Tomlin has Di*Di*Di and will read sport, coaching and PE at Oxford Brookes, and Polly Carey has Di*Di*M and a place to read sports

ALONGwith his staff, the pupils and their families, King Alfred’s headteacher Rick Holroyd is celebrating the strong A-level and GCSE results achieved this summer. Mr Holroyd said: “I am absolutely delighted with both the Level 3 outcomes achieved by our sixth form students and our GCSE results. congratulate firstly all of our Year 13 students on their magnificent achievements. These results maintain our outstanding reputation as one of the highest performing Sixth Forms in Oxfordshire. “I would like to pay tribute to the hard work of our students, as well as the members of teaching and support staff and our supportive parents, all of whom have played a significant part in supporting our students to achieve such impressive outcomes. “Our GCSE results, also, were strong and matched the significant improvements made last year. “ Several outcomes such as the Basics measure – the proportion of students achieving good passes in English and mathematics – and those achieving the EBacc, have improved. “Consequently, the overall progress measure for the cohort has increased for the second year in succession. Our Year 11 students demonstrated determination, resilience and dedication, leading to success across a broad curricu- lum after five years of hard work.” “On behalf of all staff and governors, I would like to

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