RESULTS across Cheshire West and Chester continue to improve as pupils celebrated their GCSE examination results.
Following improvements in recent years, schools – including academies – have contributed to a further rise in standards this year.
While results remain provisional, and with one school’s results yet to be reported, 82% of year 11 pupils have gained five or more GCSEs at grade C or above - an improvement of three percentage points on last year.
The percentage of students gaining five or more GCSEs at Grade C and above, including English and mathematics has been sustained at 60%.
Of particular note is that all schools are reporting their percentage of students gaining five or more GCSEs at Grade C and above, including English and mathematics, to be at or above this year’s revised floor standard of 40%.
Cllr Mark Stocks, executive member for children and families, said: “I want to congratulate our children and young people on these excellent results and thank teachers, support staff, governors and parents who have helped them to achieve these outcomes. The continued improvement in results is a real cause for celebration. Cheshire West and Chester is a great place to learn and achieve.”
Gerald Meehan, strategic director for children and young people’s services, said: “Well done to all of our students; we are immensely proud of their achievements. Thanks, too, to all those working in and with our schools that have contributed to these achievements. Our children and schools continue to achieve such high standards as a result of their skills and dedication.”
A total of over 3,500 pupils at 19 secondary schools (including seven academies) sat the examinations.
ST DAVID’S HIGH SCHOOL
STAFF and students at St David’s High School in Saltney are celebrating strong examination results this year.
At GCSE, 72% of students in Year 11 achieved the Welsh Level 2 threshold of five GCSE passes at grades A*–C and 98.3% achieved at least five passes at grades A* to G.
In addition, 71% of the Year group achieved the Welsh Baccalaureate Qualification which was offered for the first time in 2012.
Lower down the school, 92% of Year 9 students entered for the GCSE in personal and social education passed the course with the majority achieving grades A and B.
Headteacher Tony Davidson said: “Students and staff are very pleased and so am I. You don't achieve these sort of results by chance - it's down to effort, determination and commitment. Everyone has worked hard and done their best and the successes are well deserved.
“Students of all abilities have approached their GCSE examinations with considerable energy and determination, and teaching staff have provided excellent support and guidance. The support of parents has been outstanding.
“These excellent results will enable most of our students to proceed to the next stage of education, training or employment as planned.
“I am pleased that so many students will be staying with us in the sixth form to study at AS and then A-level.
“Just over 12 months ago we were inspected by Estyn and judged to be a good school with outstanding features and excellent prospects for improvement. These figures will encourage us in our efforts to move the school to a position where we are judged to be excellent in every respect.”
Outstanding performers this year included:
Weronika Szymanek (5 A*, 3 A and 1 C ), Milena Szymanek (3 A*, 5 A and 1 C), Mia Smith (2 A*, 4 A and 1 C), Hayley Philips (1 A* and 8 A), Charlotte Manifold (7 A and 1 B), Chloe Parry (2 A*, 4 A and 2 Bs), Matthew Darcy (5 A, 3 B grades and 1 C), Bethan Holmes (3 A, 3 B and 2 Cs).
CHRISTLETON HIGH SCHOOL
STAFF and students at Christleton High School are celebrating a success rate of 96% 5 A*-C in this year’s GCSE examinations.
In this particularly competitive year, exceptional achievements include: Anna Faulkner (14 A*, 3 A) Philip Vokes (11 A* 5 A) and Sam Mellor (10 A*, 6 A).
In addition, 95% of students met the challenge of gaining access to ‘A’ level courses. Almost three quarters (74%) of students obtained at least 5 A*-C grades including English and maths.
Headteacher Tony Lamberton said: “We are, as ever, very proud of our students’ success.
“These are challenging times for young people and it is inspiring to see how committed and hardworking they are.
“This success is indicative of the high level of commitment and hard work of students, parents and staff at Christleton High School.”
HELSBY HIGH SCHOOL
GCSE students at Helsby High School are celebrating another set of excellent examination results.
Provisional analysis indicates that 92% of all pupils have achieved at least 5 A*-C grades, with almost 99% achieving at least one A*-C grade.
Headteacher John Dowler said: “We are delighted that the hard work of our young people has resulted in such an excellent set of GCSE results. Students of all talents and abilities have done extremely well. “We would like to say thank you for all the support given by both staff and the students’ families. Most of all we would like to say well done to our students.”
Particular congratulations go to Olivia Dunseath, Marissa Lo, Jennifer Owens, Rachel Sizer, Philippa Snow, Jaynie Blanchard, Elizabeth Cartwright, Madeleine Clarke, Josephine Edwards and Georgia Martin, who all achieved 8 A* grades or more.
NESTON HIGH SCHOOL
NESTON High School have done themselves proud with their achievements at GCSE this year.
The school revealed 35 of its students achieved five or more A* and A grades, while a record 220 students achieved five passes at A* to C (90%).
Our top performers include:
Amy Bettam (7A*, 2A); Sharman Collins (6A*, 3A); Bethany Richardson (5A*, 4A); Laura McGrath (4A*, 5A); Lucy Mothersdale (4A*, 5A); Adam Roberts (4A*, 4A).
Headteacher Stephen Dool said that, along with excellent sixth form achievements, ‘it was clear these results will prepare youngsters well for exciting opportunities that lie ahead’.
“Well done to all staff and students and also to parents who I know have supported the students so well throughout the year,” he added.
THE KING'S SCHOOL
PUPILS at Chester’s King’s School celebrated another set of excellent GCSE and iGCSE results with seven pupils gaining 10 A*s.
Jessica Guest, Peter Boothroyd, Hayley Milner, Tommy Metcalf, Tom Jameson, Henry Makings and Cameron Winter all got the top grades in this summer’s examinations.
A further five pupils: Eleanor Barnard, Elizabeth Cousins, Guy Dunbavand, Jack Jameson and Isabel Reid achieved 9A* and 1A.
Forty nine per cent of pupils gained 8, 9 or 10 A*/A grades and 93% of the GCSE/ iGCSE grades were passed at A*/B grade.
Headmaster Chris Ramsey said, “My best wishes go to the pupils who have worked very hard for these results in conjunction with their teachers. In five of the subjects King’s pupils followed the more challenging iGCSE courses so their success is to be further congratulated.”
UPTON HIGH SCHOOL
THREE Upton-by-Chester High School students had particularly broad smiles when they picked up their GCSE results.
Katie Fozzard, Lucy Searle and Rebecca Stroud had full sets of ten A* grades.
Dominic Parente and Rachel Ismay each scored eight A* grades and Jack Wilcox added seven more A*s to the A* in Mandarin Chinese that he gained in Year 10, giving him 8 A*s.
In total, 29 students had sets of at least eight A*/A gradese.
Congratulations are also due to Sarah Baker (5 A*s/6 As), Sandra Bondaruk (4 A*s including Polish from Year 10 and 7 As), Claire Brewin (6 A*s and 4 As), Heather Connolly (1 A* and 9 As), Rebekah Corner (3 A*s and 6 As), Josie Creeth (3 A*s and 7 As), Robert Davies (5 A*s, 4 As and a B), Fiona Diles (3 A*s and 7 As), William Ellis (11 As), Alex Hawksby (A*, 7 As and 2 Bs), Rebecca Hirst (5A*s, 3 As and a C), Emma Johnson (3A*s and 7 As), Juliet McQueen (4 A*s, 5 As and 1 B), Ruben Morris-Brown (4A*s, 4 As and 1 B), Christopher Morrison (2 A*s, 6 As and 2 Bs), Jonathan Mumford (1 A*, 7 As and 2 Bs), Tom Munday (1 A*, 7 As and 2 Bs), Freya Phillips (6A*s, 3 As and a B), Molly Pritchard (3 A*s, 5 As and 2 Bs), Dana Roberts (3 A*s, 5 As and 3 Bs), Sophie Thatcher (3A*s, 5 As and 2 Bs), Alexander Turner ( 1 A*, 8 As and 1 B) and James Wild (5 A*s, 4 As and 1 B).
Across the curriculum, there were excellent subject performances with maths gaining a 29 A* grades and science a total of 32 A* grades.
There were excellent outcomes in Spanish, graphic products, history, English, media, drama, PE, RS and art.
Headteacher Jane Holland said: “With more than 80% of students gaining five higher grades and close to 70% five higher grades with maths and English, students have achieved well at all levels and this is the best performance ever at GCSE.
“Success is due to the high levels of motivation in our student body as well as the excellent teaching that has helped them to achieve so much.
“Progress from KS2 to GCSE is well above the national averages as in previous years and we are truly proud of our whole school community, parents, students and teachers and of our governors who give us their absolute support.”
THE QUEEN'S SCHOOL
GIRLS at Chester’s Queen’s School have bucked the national trend with another increase in the number of GCSE A* grades achieved.
A total of 42% of the GCSE exams sat at Queen’s were passed with an A* grade this year, up from 39%. Nationally, the number of these top grades has fallen.
In all, 93% of all exams were passed at A*-B grade.
A group of 14 girls got eight or more GCSEs at A* and six - including a talented set of triplets - got 10 A*s each.
Evelyn, Frances and Grace Whorrall-Campbell, of Kelsall, all achieved 10 A* grades as did Shani De Soysa, of Mickle Trafford, Ruth Hoare, of Flintshire and Isobel Pugh, of Chester.
Isabelle Ardron, of Chester, Hannah Christo, of Tarvin, and Rhiannon Jones, of Chester, achieved nine A*s and Sophie Bolwell, of Flintshire, Alexandra McNee, of Chester, Natalie Turner, of Wirral, Rebecca Willetts, of Christleton, and Mareen Zachariah, of Chester, all achieved 8 A*s.
The school’s reputation as a centre of excellence for teaching girls science and maths is further enhanced with the news that an average of 77% of girls attained an A* or A in these subjects, an increase on last year.
In art, history, and Latin the entire year group was awarded either an A or an A* and everyone taking music achieved an A*.
This year, a group of girls sat Mandarin GCSE for the first time at the school, with more than half the class gaining the top A* grade.
Headmistress Sarah Clark said: “Achieving this sort of excellence through nurturing a student’s potential is our aim and I’m delighted that this year we’ve seen a rise in the number of excellent A* exam passes, coupled with a strong overall performance across all subjects.
“The girls have worked hard for these grades, particularly as this year there have been fewer A* grades awarded nationally, so I’m immensely proud of their achievements.”
TARPORLEY HIGH SCHOOL
GOING for Gold in summer 2012 has been the theme for Year 11 students since joining Tarporley High School and sixth form college back in September 2007.
Just like the Olympians, they too have embraced Olympic values, striving for excellence and showing a determination to succeed.
As a result, previous records have again been broken at Tarporley High in 2012 at GCSE with the highest ever percentage of five or more GCSE passes at A*-C, at 91%.
The school is also celebrating its best ever mathematics results, at 93% A*-C.
Headteacher Sarah Lee said: “We are so proud of our students. They have worked very hard throughout their time at Tarporley to achieve these outstanding academic results.
“This has been a year of exceptionally high standards, with close to a quarter of all our students gaining at least seven A* and A grades.
“Our top 20 highest achieving girls and boys have 205 A* and A grades between them, whilst every single student educated at Tarporley High has passed at least five GCSEs, enabling all to progress either to A-level study here at our sixth form college, or to pursue their chosen college and training courses.
“My thanks go to their families for the unstinting encouragement and support they have given them throughout their education, and my congratulations to the dedicated and talented staff at Tarporley who are just as delighted as our students on this very important day.”
Special congratulations go to:
Hayley Blamphin 10A*, 3A; Sam Holcroft 9A*, 3A; Joanna Bright 8A*, 5A; Fern Gibbon 8A*, 3A, 3B; Sam Windsor 8A*, 2A, 2B; Nicola Harrop 6A*, 5A; Emma Farnworth 6A*, 5A, B; Ryan Gaskell 6A*, 4A; Sean Pickering 6A*, 3A, 2B; Sam Dale 5A*, 5A, 2B; Jacqueline Gray 5A*, 4A, 2B; Genevieve France 5A*, 4A, 2B; Will Munson 5A*, 4A, 2B; Rebecca Blagg 5A*, 2A, 3B; Lorna Robey 4A*, 7A, 2B; Hannah Ravenswater 4A*, 7A; Beth Wilkinson 4A*, 6A, 2B; Katie Brownlee 4A*, 6A, B; Kathryn Murie 4A*, 5A, 3B; Bea Benson 3A*, 7A, 2B.
Tarporley sixth form is open to all students with suitable GCSE grades, including students who have not previously attended the school. Students can contact the school on 01829 732558 for more information or email jlowe@tarporley-high.cheshire.sch.uk.
BISHOP HEBER HIGH SCHOOL
STUDENTS, staff and parents at Bishop Heber High School in Malpas are celebrating outstanding GCSE results.
With all students achieving at least five pass grades, nearly 90% achieving five or more subjects at A*-C and three quarters of students gaining five or more grades at A*-C, including English and mathematics, students have been well-rewarded for their hard work and commitment.
A significant number of students (27 in total) have achieved the top A and A* grades in at least eight subjects including Bethan Cornforth of Chorlton, Hannah Crump of Farndon, Henry Delf-Rowlandson of Tilston, Amy Farr of Malpas, David Marlow of Whitchurch, Felix Morriss of Chester, Ciaran O’Shea of Bradley, Rebecca Ralph of Whitchurch, Matthew Sinclair of Farndon, Samuel Tute of Tilston, and Harry Young of Tilston, who all gained these grades in nine or more subjects.
The results in business studies, Chinese, design and technology, English language and literature, geography, history, mathematics, PE and separate sciences were all considerably above national expectations.
Overall, 75% of the students at Bishop Heber achieved the Government’s benchmark of five or more passes at A* to C including English and mathematics.
Headteacher David Curry said: “It is our best set of results yet and shows that Bishop Heber High School continues to prepare its students for the challenges of A-level and beyond.
“This is a wonderful achievement for both students and staff, and is testimony to their hard work and commitment. I would like to congratulate all our students on their success.
“The hard work of the students themselves, together with the excellent teaching of my colleagues on the staff and the support of the students’ families has led to these outstanding results.
“Our head of sixth form, Gemma Dodd, is looking forward to welcoming most of our Year 11 back to our sixth form to continue their learning and study.
“For those of our students who will be seeking training, employment or college opportunities, we wish them well in their future and thank them for their contribution to our school.”
CHESTER CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL
STUDENTS and parents celebrated GCSE examination results at Chester Catholic High School. Top of the class were Jenny Jones and Amy Sinclair with 9A* grades each, followed closely by Matthew Chesters, Kathleen Devine and Hannah Carter with seven each. The students then headed straight for the school’s sixth form centre to sign up for A level classes.
The school has been a specialist science college for almost ten years, and this year saw a record number of students taking the three sciences biology, chemistry and physics as separate subjects. Just under 90% of the biology students scored at least a C grade, with numbers in chemistry and physics 85% and 80% respectively. However, the top performing subjects were Spanish with 100% of the students entered securing a grade between A* and C and drama with 96%.
Overall 68% of the students achieved passes at A*-C in at least five subjects, while the score including English and maths was 54%. As the numbers taking subjects that lead to the new English Baccalaureate increase, this score was up to a new school high of 25%.
Assistant headteacher Ursula Ferne said: “It is great to see the students’ faces when they realise how well they have done.
“They worked hard for these grades and really deserve what they have got.”
Among the top achieving students this year were: Jackie Bannerman (3A*, 2A, 5B); Tom Batten (4A*, 4A, 1B + distinction in ICT); Hannah Carter (7A*, 2A, 1B); Matthew Chesters (7A* 2A, 1B); Kathryn Cowley (1A*, 5A, 4B); Kathleen Devine (7A*, 3A); Sammy Finneran-Lerner (2A*, 6A, 2B); James Fowles (1A*, 5A, 4B); Vicky Hare (3A*, 7A); Jenny Jones (9A*, 1A); Marie-Therese Letissier (4A*, 3A, 3B); Gabby Maxfield (6A*, 4A); Sophie McKenzie (4A*, 2B, 3C + distinction in ICT); Andy Murray (6A*, 4A); Ania Nowakowska (1A*, 6A, 3B); Isaac Scott (6A*, 4A); Amy Sinclair (9A*, 1A) Felicity Twist (9A, 1B); Rebecca Vickers (4A*, 5A, 1B); Lily Wearden (4A*, 4A, 2B); Jenny Williams (6A, 4B).
Headteacher John Murray said: “We are really proud of our young people.
“They are a credit to themselves, the school and their families. I am sure they will go on to be very successful both at sixth form level and beyond.”
While most students will stay on to the school’s own sixth form, many move on to West Cheshire College or other providers.
Head of year Cath Mulvey added: “We will really miss those who are moving on elsewhere and we wish them all the best for the future.”BISHOPS' BLUE COAT CE HIGH SCHOOL
THE Bishops’ Blue Coat CE High School, Chester, is celebrating an excellent set of GCSE results.
The percentage of students who achieved five good GCSE grades, (A*-C) was 85% - the highest ever for the school. Of these, 65% achieved at least a C grade in both English and mathematics.
There were many high performers. Jessica Colston and Nikki Drury both excelled, with 12 A* and 11 A* GCSE grades respectively; Jessica also achieved an A* in A-level citizenship studies.
Paul Reynolds achieved 9 A* grades, and Nicola Thacker and Catrin Lloyd 8 A*, with their remaining results all being A grades.
Many students attained entirely A* and A grades, including several with top grades in the demanding further mathematics IGCSE qualification. Jessica Colston and Kieran Paterson both achieved A* distinction – higher than an A* – in IGCSE further mathematics. Almost 40% of the students in the year group attained at least one A*.
Headteacher Justin Blakebrough said: “Once again, we are delighted with our results.
“Hard work from both staff and students has been rewarded with superb results, maintaining our year on year improvement in standards.”
BLACON HIGH SCHOOL
BLACON High School students are celebrating highly positive GCSE results.
Building on the outcomes from last year when the school was named, by Minister of State for Schools Nick Gibb, in the top 100 high schools nationally for sustained improvements, students this year have achieved 81% A*-C grades and 42% including English and maths.
Headteacher Sue Yates praised staff, students and families of the school. She said: “This year’s successful outcomes demonstrate the hard work, commitment and determination that characterises this school. “Earlier this year, when we achieved the gold award for Investors in People, the report described Blacon High School as ‘an exceptional school’ and these results reflect this by demonstrating that our students are succeeding year on year. Once again we have shown that ‘Success through Partnership’ is a reality in this school.”
A delighted Mrs Yates congratulated some notable students for achieving higher grades. These included Katie Dalby for achieving an A grade in English and performing arts and Phoebe Barker for achieving A* in art and design. Also, Shaun Ellson achieved an A grade in English and B in mathematics and Liam Dupree was noted for his high achievement in science.
QUEEN'S PARK HIGH SCHOOL
STUDENTS at Queen’s Park High School celebrated the fact that they have exceeded the school’s GCSE target as they collected their examination results.
The year group achieved excellent results and managed to outperform the results the school achieved last year. The percentage of students achieving 5 A*-C including English and maths, at 60%, was the school’s best ever result with 71% of students gaining 5 A*-C.
Headteacher Stephen Casey said: “I am immensely proud of our students and the results they have achieved. They are a credit to themselves and their families. I am delighted for those students who achieved a string of grades at A and A*, as well as all those who have worked exceptionally hard to achieve their target grades.
“Last year the school’s results were fantastic but this year we have done even better – a testament to the excellent learning partnership between our students, their families and the staff of QPHS.”
A number of students achieved exceptional results and gained a string of high grades including the core subjects of English, maths and science. These included Joel Langmead who gained an outstanding 10 grade A*s and 3As. Other top performers included Thomas Inns (7A*s and 8As), Freya Brewis (6A*s and 6As), Jennifer Pearson (6A*s, 4As and 1B), Rachel Tompkins (4A*s, 6As and 3Bs), Luke Goldsmith (6A*s, 6As and 1B), Christopher McGrath (5A*s, 3As and 4Bs) Yasmin Woods (5A*s, 5As and 6Bs) Struan Fishburn (5A*s, 8As), Sarah Jans (5A*s, 8As and 4Bs) and James McDermott (6A*s and 5As).
A number of subjects achieved outstanding results including triple science with more than half of all grades at A*/A, along with RE, art and design, sports studies and textiles. English and maths also performed strongly showing continued improvement and increasing the school’s English Baccalaureate success.
Graham Westoby, Year 11 learning manager added: “It has been a pleasure to work with this year group over the past four years, and I am very proud of the results our students have achieved.
“Every student worked really hard individually, in classes and with teachers and mentors as part of our well established raising achievement programme. I think it is an excellent testament to everybody’s hard work that the year has culminated in achieving the school’s best ever results.
“I am thrilled that so many of them are coming back to continue their education in our sixth form and wish them and the remainder of the year group every success as they move forward to the next stage of their lives.”
ABBEY GATE COLLEGE
PUPILS at Abbey Gate College are celebrating great success again this year after another set of outstanding GCSE results.
All of the pupils achieved 5 A*-C grades, with more than 72% of all grades being awarded A*-B. More than a third of pupils achieved a majority of A*/A grades with star performers Nicholas Bradley and Ruth Siddorn achieving a straight set of A* grades.
Molly Barendt, Nathan Davies and Helen Ford achieved all A*s and As.
Headmistress Lynne Horner praised the hard work of all of the pupils and staff. She said: “We would like to congratulate all of the pupils on their success and these excellent grades will enable them to progress to the next stage of their academic careers.
“It demonstrates once again the excellent work ethic and ethos throughout the college, thus enabling the pupils to achieve both their academic and personal potential.
“We wish all of the pupils well and we look forward to their continued success at A level.”
THE HAMMOND SCHOOL
STUDENTS from The Hammond in Chester have been celebrating their GCSE results.
Overall, 78% of their GCSE results were at grade C or better, and in a number of subjects 100% of the results were at grade C or better.
