Students across Shropshire collect their GCSE results

Students across Shropshire are receiving their GCSE results today, as results are expected to fall back in line with those of 2019 in England.

Shropshire Council is congratulating pupils on receiving their GCSE results today.

Councillor Kirstie Hurst-Knight, Cabinet Member for Children and Education said:

“I would like to congratulate and pay tribute to the hard work and determination of all our pupils who have sat GCSEs this year.

“We know the past few years have been extremely challenging for Shropshire children and young people, given the continued ripple effect of the disruption to their education caused by the pandemic.

“I would also like to thank all those who have supported our hard-working students this last year – to the teachers and their school and college staff, including our virtual school who support our looked after students, all who have shown incredible dedication to ensure young people are prepared for their next steps in the world.

“This is such an important period for young people as they move on from school to continued education at school or college or as they enter further training and employment.

“We wish all of Shropshire’s pupils every success in the future.”

In Telford and Wrekin, overall GCSE results are similar to 2019 following a return to pre-pandemic grading this summer in England.

A large number of students in the borough have passed their GCSEs and other equivalent qualifications, demonstrating the hard work undertaken by staff and students.

The Telford Langley School is celebrating a good set of GCSE results.

There have been some impressive individual achievements at the school as increasing numbers of pupils have achieved numerous 7-9 grades in a range of subjects as well as achieving some of the highest grades in their English and Maths GCSEs.

Steve Carter, The Telford Langley School headteacher, said: “It’s pleasing to see that the support of our trust and hard work of the staff and the students has been rewarded with some excellent results.”

Philip Hamilton, CEO of the Community Academies Trust said: “Telford Langley School is a settled purposeful learning environment where young people have every opportunity for success.

“The results this year are further evidence of this and I am very proud of the commitment shown by staff, students and their families to make this happen.”

The Learning Community Trust pleased with results

The Learning Community Trust says it is pleased with this summer’s GCSE results, especially in the backdrop of the legacy of Covid.

All three of its Telford secondary schools – Hadley Learning Community, Ercall Wood, and Charlton – have improved in a number of areas, which coincides with positive Ofsted reports.

The Trust’s chief executive Jane Hughes said: “Across the schools, the attainment and average grades of the students increased, with a number of students achieving the highest grades possible across all their subjects.”

Highlighted at Ercall Wood is the success of students with special educational needs who have outperformed expected national averages.

HLC continued to improve with exceptional performances across all subject areas. And Charlton School, following its strong Ofsted report, has seen a large number of students achieve outstanding personal results.

The Trust also runs Queensway School in Telford, which caters for children and young people on the autistic spectrum, and those with social, emotional and mental health difficulties. This school recorded its best-ever results, with many students achieving GCSE grades of 4 or above in English, maths and science.

Jane Hughes added: “We are pleased with the results from all of schools. The outcomes reflect the hard work of our students and staff during what remains a challenging time after the impact of Covid.

“Our schools have worked tirelessly providing outstanding lessons and additional catch-up opportunities to ensure that all students met their potential.”

She added: “Our average grades have increased across our Trust schools, which means that our learners have achieved the outcomes they need to go to college, apprenticeships or into employment and I am proud that our schools have provided the springboard for their successful futures.”

Outstanding set of GCSE results for Wrekin College pupils

Wrekin College today announced an “outstanding” set of GCSE results beating the number of top A grades and achievements across the board in 2019, the last time exams were assessed at pre-pandemic levels.

A third of all grades were at 9-7, up three per cent from 2019, while discounting the pandemic years the school also celebrated its best overall pass rate in a decade.

Mr Ben Smith, Deputy Head (Academic), paid tribute to the “resilience and commitment” of the 2023 cohort of pupils recognising they were among the hardest hit by Covid as they faced repeated disruption during some of the most pivotal years in their academic development.

“Our Year 11 students have achieved an outstanding set of GCSE results this year,” added Mr Smith.

“The results are impressive in their own right but, when you take into consideration the disruption of the pandemic, the challenges of online learning, and Ofqual’s recent announcement that 300,000 fewer top GCSE grades would be awarded this year as grading standards return to 2019 levels, they really are exceptional.”

Almost three-quarters of all 808 grades achieved were at grade 5 (a strong pass) and above while the overall pass rate of 90.7 per cent is up more than five per cent on 2019.

“Fortunately, both our pupils and staff responded robustly in the face of this adversity, demonstrating the resilience and commitment needed to ensure that the vast majority reached their academic potential.”

“It is also heartening that the government’s decision to realign this year’s GCSE grading with 2019 has not prevented Wrekinians from improving on the 9-7 grade percentage the school achieved in 2019,” he added.

“As with our A Level results last week, it is encouraging to see that, despite the introduction of centre and teacher-assessed grading at GCSE over the last few years and the other mitigations put into place by examination boards to counteract the impact of the pandemic, Wrekin has in no sense lost sight of what is required for its students to achieve the highest grades. Academic standards remain high as the school exceeds its performance in 2019. There is a palpable ambition throughout the school community to continue to drive learning forward.”

Headteacher Mr Tim Firth said he was immensely proud the results had shown that Wrekin as a non-selective school was not merely teaching children to pass an exam but to strive for the highest level they were capable of.

“Wrekin challenges and improves the best academics while adding value to everyone and these results are a testament to that,” he said.

Shrewsbury Academy celebrates strong set results

Shrewsbury Academy says it is thrilled to announce good achievements on this year’s GCSE results day, underscoring not only the academic prowess of its students but also the unwavering support system that has propelled them to success.

Amidst a challenging academic landscape, Shrewsbury Academy is delighted to report strong GCSE results that reflect the dedication and resilience of its students and staff.

What truly sets Shrewsbury Academy apart is its holistic approach to education, which extends beyond classroom learning. The results achieved are a testament to the tireless commitment of the students, supported by the school’s teachers, mentors, and support staff. The academy’s emphasis on individualised attention and tailored support has empowered students to overcome challenges and reach their full potential.

Julie Johnson, Headteacher expressed her pride in the students’ accomplishments, stating, “At Shrewsbury Academy, we believe that academic success is not only about grades, but also about personal growth and development. These exceptional results are a reflection of the hard work and determination of our students, as well as the collaborative efforts of our dedicated staff.”

Telford College celebrates ‘excellent’ set of GCSE results

Telford College is celebrating another excellent set of GCSE results today, with English and maths grades once again comfortably ahead of the national average.

Achievement rates for English and maths were up on last year for both adult learners and 16-18 students, with more than 97% pass rate for maths, and over 95% for English.

“Our English achievement rates were over 10% above the national average, and maths results for 16 to 18-year-olds were even further ahead than that,” said the college’s deputy chief executive Janet Stephens.

“These are absolutely fantastic results, reflecting all of the hard work our students and staff. We are very proud of them.

“Maths and English are so important, because they not only form a key part of the Government’s levelling up programme, and are qualifications which open up pathways to the maximum number of courses and job opportunities.

“It’s one of the reasons we are so excited to be working with Telford & Wrekin Council and local businesses on creating a new digital skills and enterprise hub in the town’s Station Quarter, with maths at the very heart of a modern, technology-driven curriculum.”

Janet added: “We look forward to seeing many of our students now progressing with us onto A levels, apprenticeships, or our range of T Levels which we are launching in September.”

Telford College staff are now on hand to discuss progression opportunities with GCSE students, and explain the range of further education opportunities in the 2023/24 curriculum. Full details can be found at www.telfordcollege.ac.uk.

Last week Telford College celebrated another strong set of results for its A level, technical and vocational courses.

It saw 100% pass rates in several subject areas including media studies and religious studies, and increased high grades on last year in areas such as physics, history, chemistry and business.

Pass rates were also up on last year in subject areas such as biology, English language, English literature and history, while pass rates among the college’s adult A level students outperformed the national average.

Grove School celebrates GCSE results day

Grove School is elated to announce another remarkable year of academic achievement across the whole year group as it celebrates the exceptional performance of its students on GCSE results day.

The school’s commitment to fostering an environment of growth and excellence, underpinned by its unwavering student support system, has once again yielded outstanding results.

Amidst the challenges posed by the ever-evolving educational landscape, Grove School remains dedicated to providing support to its students. From learning plans to dedicated mentoring, the school’s approach is centred on ensuring that each and every student is empowered to reach their full potential. This commitment to individual growth is a driving force behind the remarkable GCSE results achieved this year.

Sonia Taylor, Headteacher expressed, “At Grove School, we believe that every student’s journey is unique, and we are immensely proud of the exceptional achievements of our students. Our results reflect not only their hard work and dedication but also the comprehensive support system that surrounds them.”

Marches School celebrates outstanding achievements

The Marches School says it is delighted to announce yet another year of strong achievements by the students on GCSE results day. With a strong commitment to nurturing individual potential and providing unwavering support, the school takes immense pride in the outcomes attained by its students.

By offering personalised guidance, a nurturing learning environment, and a comprehensive range of resources, the school has empowered its students to achieve. This commitment to holistic education and support has once again yielded outstanding results.

Alison Pearson, Headteacher of Marches School, expressed her delight for the students saying, “We are thrilled to witness our students’ exceptional achievements today. Their hard work, resilience, and determination have been truly inspiring. At Marches School, we believe in providing not just academic knowledge but also fostering personal growth and emotional wellbeing. The strong results achieved today reflect the combined efforts of our dedicated teachers, supportive parents, and of course, the incredible students themselves.”

Ellesmere College students celebrate GCSE results

Students at Shropshire’s Ellesmere College are celebrating their GCSE results today with an overall pass rate of 80% with some outstanding performances. 

The 2023 results are above the UK pass rate of 67% and at Ellesmere 25% of grades are the top 9-7 range (A*/A) – above the UK top range rate of 20%.

Top performing students include Shinil Balakrishnan, from Chester, who achieved seven 9s and three 8s.

Joshua Norris, from Ellesmere, has achieved five 9a, three 8s and a 6 while Isobel Cripps, from Shrewsbury, got two 9s, six 8s and a 7.

James Gannicott chose to move from his hometown of Zug in Switzerland to study at Ellesmere, he achieved one 9, seven 8s, one 7 and a 6.

Many of the students who picked up their GCSE results today will return to Ellesmere College in September to continue their academic journey into Sixth Form and study their choice of A Levels, International Baccalaureate (IB) or BTEC courses for the next two years.

A number of younger pupils sat a GCSE mathematics exam early at Ellesmere College too.  Natt Kritchanarat completed her GCSE Mathematics last year with a grade 9 and has completed GCSE Chemistry and Further Mathematics this year at the end of her year 10, achieving a 9 in both subjects.  She is now studying A level mathematics and will sit her A level at the end of Year 11.

Brendan Wignall, Headmaster at Ellesmere College, said “It is a pleasure to see how well pupils have achieved. 

“They are commended for their positive approach to the examinations this summer. 

“With disruption to their education during the pandemic their achievements are even more impressive.

“Their results today have been hard earned. They are now very well prepared to embark on their Sixth Form programme with us and we look forward to seeing them in September.”

The GCSE results follow on from last week’s excellent A level results and destinations, which include places at Girton College, Cambridge, Trinity College, Dublin, University of Birmingham, Bath, Durham, Exeter, Glasgow, Swansea, and as far afield as Maimi and Ohio USA.

Sir John Talbot’s School celebrates exceptional results

Sir John Talbot’s School says it is thrilled to announce yet another year of outstanding success on GCSE results day, with a remarkable emphasis on the unwavering support provided to its students throughout their educational journey.

The school has once again demonstrated its commitment to nurturing the academic and personal growth of its students, as evidenced by this year’s exceptional GCSE results.

Headteacher Tim Stonall commented, “We are immensely proud of our students’ achievements on GCSE results day. Our emphasis on providing comprehensive support stems from our belief in holistic education. We understand that success goes beyond grades – it’s about empowering our students with the tools they need to navigate challenges and seize opportunities in the future.  We are particularly proud of some of our students with special educational needs who should be delighted with their outcomes.”

In addition to academic achievement, Sir John Talbot’s School prides itself on creating a nurturing and inclusive environment where students feel valued and supported. Through a combination of excellent teachers who are subject specialists, dedicated pastoral care, and a variety of extracurricular activities, the school ensures that students develop not only academically but also socially and emotionally. 

Mrs Parker Head of Year 11 remarked, “It has been a pleasure to lead this year group. They have done so well to overcome adversity. I wish them the very best for their futures.  If they have any issues in their next steps, they must always remember they belong to Sir John Talbot’s School and mustn’t hesitate to contact us if needed.”

Oswestry School surpasses national trend with upswing in GCSE results

Oswestry School pupils are celebrating their GCSE results today, with 88 per cent of grades in the 9-4 bracket, higher overall attainment when compared with pre-pandemic levels of 2019.

Following years of Covid-19 related disruption, the national trend this year has seen GCSE results back in line with the attainment levels of 2019. Oswestry School in Shropshire is thrilled to have bucked this trend.

Fifty-one fifth formers (Year 11) sat GCSE exams along with 14 fourth formers (Year 10) and collecting his results alongside them was Oswestry School Learning Support Assistant (LSA) Rob Howell, who lives in Weston Rhyn, who achieved a Grade 5 in GCSE Physics to go along with his Grade 4 in Chemistry last year.

Rob who is a member of the Learning Support Department at Oswestry School in Upper Brook Street also plans to take GCSE Biology in 2024 as part of his personal ongoing commitment to pupils to do everything he can to encourage and support them and understand what they are going through by studying for and sitting exams with them.

Oswestry School GCSE highlights include:

· 28% of grades were in the top 9-7 bracket (nearly a third of all grades), 3% more than in 2019 and 6% higher than in 2018.

· 87% of grades were in the 9-4 bracket representing a 2% increase from 2019 and an 8% increase from 2018;

· 14 pupils in Year 10 sat early entry GCSEs in subjects ranging from Art to Computing, Chinese and Spanish with just under 50% of GCSEs awarded the top grade 9.

The Headmaster of Oswestry School, Peter Middleton, said: “Oswestry School pupils have worked tremendously hard during the course of the past two years and have been rewarded with a terrific set of GCSE results.  As a non-selective school, we celebrate all individuals and the personal bests that they have achieved, and we are very proud of each and every one of them. 

“The launch of our home-grown Teaching and Learning Model two years ago has seen instant results with improvements on pre-pandemic attainment levels; our pupils have been well supported by their teachers and the wider staff team, and they can progress to the next stage in their educational journey with confidence.”

Woodlands School celebrates with Students

Woodlands School says it is incredibly proud of the achievement of all our students on GCSE results day.

As a school that embodies the Marches Academy Trust’s ethos of “Achievement through Caring” Woodlands specialises in supporting students with social, emotional, and mental health needs, and has an unwavering commitment to supporting them to achieve their potential and prepare them for their next steps in life.

Jules Taylor, Headteacher shared, “We are overjoyed with the results our students have achieved. Not only GCSE and vocational qualifications, but most importantly, the achievement of the outcomes set in their Education, Health and Care plans that will ultimately enable them to take their place in the world as confident adults.

“Woodlands School remains committed to preparing our students not only for academic progress but also for their journey beyond the school gates. The emphasis on emotional resilience, self-confidence, and social skills equips students with tools to navigate the challenges of life with confidence.

“It is a reflection of the incredible hard work of our students and the tireless dedication of our staff that all our pupils have been able to secure post 16 placements, either in employment, training or continuing their education.

“At Woodlands School, we believe in the potential of every student, and our focus on holistic support has been instrumental in helping them reach this incredible achievement.”

Moreton Hall Pupils Celebrate Outstanding GCSE Results

Pupils at Moreton Hall have every reason to celebrate today as they continue the tradition of achieving outstanding GCSE results.

Despite a narrative of grades being lowered to averages in 2019 in the return to pre-covid marking structures, the school’s students have outperformed national expectations, achieving higher grades by every metric including 20% of all grades being 9s (higher than the former A* grade), and grades in the 9-8 range being nearly 40% of all entries. 

The school said it is proud to be an academically inclusive environment, and thus to cultivate these results not through selecting those pupils who would achieve top grades in almost any institution, but through careful guidance, excellent tuition, and strong relationships between school and home. 

These results open a multitude of pathways for pupils, with the majority choosing to study A Levels here at Moreton Hall with the additional benefit of the Next Steps Careers team offering bespoke support so that each student finds the right course for their individual interests and strengths beyond school. 

Remarking on today’s success, Moreton Hall Principal Michael Brewer said:

“Whether taken within the national context or seen through the eyes of the individuals to whom this success belongs, these are wonderful results of which the entire school can be proud. Determined pupils and dedicated teachers have worked in partnership with parents to ensure these achievements. GCSEs are a vital platform for future success in school and far beyond; thanks to strong foundations, Moreton Hall girls are once again looking to the future with a wide array of opportunities ahead of them.”

Concord College celebrates best-ever results

Concord College has revealed its best-ever GCSE/IGCSE results from a year.

90 percent of all grades attained by the Acton Burnell-based college’s 85 Form 5 students were 7/8/9 – the equivalent of the old A*/A grades. An impressive 53% of grades were 9s – the highest possible.

Among many successes, 74% of all Mathematics grades were 9s and as an international school Concord celebrates the study of languages with 100% grades 7/8/9 in German, 92% grades 8/9 in Spanish and 87% grades 8/9 in French.

Nineteen students – more than one fifth of the year – achieved 9 or more grade 9s whilst 97% of Computer Science IGCSE students were awarded an 8 or 9.

Concord College Principal Dr Michael Truss, said: “I am delighted that our students work hard and dedication has been rewarded with such impressive results.

“The grades they have achieved are just one, albeit clearly measurable, outcome from their studies in Concord’s Lower School. The care and dedication of all of the Concord staff who have supported them alongside the encouragement they have received from home has helped them on their way to their success today and to being ready face the next challenges that await them.

“We are immensely proud of them for their outstanding results and also for the exceptional young people they are becoming.”