South Wiltshire's students receive GCSE results
It's the first group to take exams in two years
Last updated 26th Aug 2022
GCSE students across South Wiltshire have been collecting their results this morning (Thursday 25th August).
This is the first cohort in two years that results have returned to exams and coursework, following teacher assessed grades last time around.
Here's how our some of our local schools have got on:
Wyvern St Edmund's Academy
The Laverstock school say that their students are leaving them with a "fantastic set" of GCSE results.
73% of their students have achieved the crucial academic benchmark of a grade 4 or above in both English and Maths – one of their highest results ever.
Head of School Mr Burley said he was:
“incredibly proud of the students and the sheer grit and determination they have shown throughout the past few years. As we formally become one mixed comprehensive, Wyvern St Edmund’s Academy, on September 1st, it is great to finish the year and the era of Wyvern College and St Edmund’s Girls’ School on such a high with such positive results and smiling faces."
Wellington Academy
Ludgershall's Wellington Academy have posted their best ever GCSE and BTEC grades.
Headteacher Steven Paddock says it was because of the Year 11s hard work.
Mr Paddock said:
“We are extremely proud of the students’ hard work and teachers’ dedication over the last two years. The impact of the pandemic has been diminished through a level of application and effort to great learning and teaching that the Academy’s community can be proud of.
“The first formal exams in two years were supported through a real commitment to catching up from the pandemic, with pupils staying for an extra lesson twice per week for the whole year, which has really paid dividends for their grades. The support from our parents, pupils, and teachers to enable this has made the difference for these results and really place these in a brilliant place to develop further from here.
“The Wellington Academy’s motto is “effort x failure = results” and this cohort of young people have exemplified this throughout the year to gain a set of results that they can be rightly proud of. To trust things will be alright when you have no reference point has been a real challenge for all. Yet the motto has held true as always for these wonderful young people who now can become whatever they desire.”
Trafalgar School
Trafalgar School in Downton say they are also celebrating a "terrific" set of GCSE results.
Headteacher Jonathan Curtis said:
“We are exceptionally proud of all our students and very pleased that we have achieved our best ever results. As a group of young people, they have been through a turbulent couple of years and yet have still managed to achieve these fantastic results. They have taken advantage of the excellent teaching and pastoral support at our school to achieve their potential. Our staff have worked tirelessly to make sure that these students had all the support and expertise they needed, even during lockdowns and other challenges, which have arisen.
"I must also extend my heartfelt thanks and huge congratulations to the parents and carers, who supported all of the students throughout their five years with us, and wish all of our students well, as they move on to the next phase of their education.”
Godolphin
Salisbury's Godolphin School achieved 43% of GCSE and IGCSE levels awarded grade 8 or 9 and 100% grade 4 or above.
Godolphin Head Emma Hattersley says:
“Overall the cohort have exceeded expectations by nearly one and a half grades; they have truly excelled. Impressive results have been seen throughout the curriculum, ranging from the Creative Arts, through English, Humanities, Classics, Maths, Sciences and on to Engineering disciplines.
"Godolphin students have an excellent base from which to move to their next step in education, not only in terms of qualifications, but also in terms of their transferrable skills such as resilience, determination, communication, and teamwork.
"We are delighted by our GCSE results this year. They are testament to our extremely hardworking students who really deserve this success after the challenges of the last couple of years. It should also be acknowledged that achieving such excellent results and value-added scores only happens with the support of passionate and dedicated staff. A terrific way to end the summer holidays and kick off the new academic year.”
Bishop Wordsworth
Head Stuart Smallwood said:
"Chapter two of this year’s exam outcomes has duly arrived, accompanied by the warnings from the exam authorities to expect reductions in the grades achieved due to the post-pandemic readjustments that will be under way for the next couple of years. In fact the headline figure for BWS of 76% Grades 9-7 is almost identical to the figure that was distilled in 2021 by the teacher assessment process, so I am very pleased and frankly a little relieved! An unprecedented context created more uncertainty for everyone, but thanks to a clear and level headed approach by teachers, technology to repair the cracks and great dollops of hard work our boys have come through with flying colours.
"We should in no way take this for granted. At 159 our Year 11 was by some way our biggest yet, as the demographic expansion of the school completed this year. Add to that the cumulative effects of lockdowns/remote learning and occasional waves of infection and it is evident that this year group has performed really well. Their excellent grades should enable them to look forward with confidence to their next challenges – either within the sixth form at BWS or at one of the other excellent local post-16 providers. I wish them all luck, and would like to say a heartfelt thanks to all of my colleagues who have done a superb job in supporting our boys once again."
South Wilts Grammar School
South Wilts Grammar say they're "incredibly proud" of their Year 11's achievements.
Michele Chilcott, Headteacher, said:
"Despite the disruption to education that this cohort has experienced, these are the strongest set of GCSE results for South Wilts Grammar School since the awarding of numerical grades at GCSE. The numbers of grades awarded 8 to 9 has increased to 58.2% and those awarded grades 7 to 9 has increased 78.5%. 30% of all grades awarded were at grade 9.
"70 students gained all grades 7 to 9 in their subjects, with 28 students awarded grades 8 to 9 across all their subjects.
"We are exceptionally proud of what all our students have attained, against a backdrop of uncertainty. Credit needs to be given to their hard work, positivity, and resilience in what has not been an easy two years."
Stonehenge School
Headteacher Nigel Roper says he has been able to retire on a high after an excellent set of GCSE results.
Results in English and Maths were in line with the targets that had been set for the cohort, with some exceptional subject performances across The Arts and Sciences, as well as more specialist subjects like Philosophy & Ethics and Engineering.
Mr Roper said:
"I would like to thank all of my staff who have worked incredibly hard over what has been one of the most challenging periods in history within the education sector, and have ensured that our pupils have gained the grades that they deserve in order to embark on their future choices beyond our school.
“Due to its rapid growth and over-subscription, the school is now looking forward to the second phase of its re-development, adding another £6 million build to replace an out-of-date block. All of this will now be left in the capable hands of the new Headteacher, Mrs Carole Dean."