South Wiltshire schools achieve great GCSE results
Here's the round-up of results we've had from our local secondaries
Last updated 22nd Aug 2024
Students in South Wiltshire have been collecting their GCSE results today (Thursday 22nd August), with a number of our schools achieving impressive results.
The pass rate for students across England, Wales and Northern Ireland has fallen for the third year in succession – with 67.6% of grades at 4/C level or above.
This year's Year 11 cohort were impacted in Year 7 by the Covid-19 lockdown in 2020.
Bishop Wordsworth
Salisbury's Bishop Wordsworth School saw 64% of their boys' papers graded at 7-9.
Headteacher Dr Stuart Smallwood said:
“This year group had their educational foundations unsettled by the shock waves of Covid at an early stage in their life at BWS. The fact that they have performed so well now is testament to their hard work and the persistence and determination of their teachers and those who have their backs at home.
"Importantly this group of boys has done well enough to ensure that they have really exciting choices available for the future. Many will stay on here of course, to be a part of Bishop’s through to A level, but whatever they choose to do I wish them all a following wind in the years to come.”
Trafalgar School at Downton
Headteacher at The Trafalgar School at Downton, Jy Taylor, said he is “proud” of all the students, who have experienced “unprecedented challenges” during secondary education:
“It is easy to forget that these young people confronted a world pandemic, the challenges associated with returning to normality and well-known difficulties for some with regard to attendance, as well as a GCSE journey in Year 10 which was punctuated by national industrial action.
“The results they receive today are a testament to their dedication and hard work. As always amongst the celebrations and success there are some students who have not achieved the grades that they had hoped for.
“However, I am confident that the character and values they have developed over their 5 years at Trafalgar will enable them to overcome future hurdles and that every one of them will go on to be incredibly successful.”
Stonehenge School, Amesbury
Stonehenge School headteacher, Carole Dean said they are equally proud of their students:
She said: “Our core ethos of helping pupils to ‘Strive for Excellence and exceed expectations’ is reflected in the significant progress made by many of our students.
“We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to our teaching staff, who have worked tirelessly to support our pupils. Their dedication has ensured that our students achieved the grades they deserve, paving the way for their future success. This year’s results also highlight the critical impact of regular attendance on student achievement, demonstrating that consistent engagement with education can lead to remarkable outcomes.”
South Wilts Grammar School
The Stratford Road School say they're 'exceptionally delighted and proud' with the girls this year, both in terms of achievement and progress.
Headteacher Michele Chilcott said:
"A total of 160 students took their examinations. The number of students achieving the very highest grades is again outstanding, 71% of all the examinations taken were awarded grades 7 to 9, with 46% of those awarded grades 8 to 9. We saw the number of students achieving grade 9 increase from 2023. Five students achieved at least 10 subjects at grade 9, with 19 students gaining 7 or more subjects at grade 9. 40 students achieved 8 or more subjects at grade 8 or 9. An outstanding achievement for all concerned.
"They are a fantastic year group, who have worked exceptionally hard, and their diligence has been shown in a very strong set of results. We look forward to seeing the vast majority of them in Year 12 in September and wish all of them the best for the future."