Live blog edited by: Samuel Poole, Samantha Rees, and Alastair Thompson
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More than 70% of Plympton students achieved a grade 4 or above in English and maths, which is the highest in the school’s history for the second year in a row. When including all subjects, nearly 20% of grades were awarded the highest grades of 7, 8 and 9, with 55% being grade 5 and above, and nearly 70% at 4 or above. This is similarly the highest in the school’s history, and school leaders say this is testament to the hard work of the students and support from families and staff.
Collecting her GCSE results today, Freya Edwards, said:
“The hard work, commitment and dedication to my studies have always been the most important things. I am absolutely over the moon with my results and incredibly proud of everything I have achieved.”
Shaun Willis, Headteacher at Plympton Academy, said:
“These results are a phenomenal achievement, and I could not be prouder of all the students’ many successes. Last year, we broke records with our results, and this cohort has gone even further to achieve even higher. Their hard work, curiosity and determination have helped them to gain excellent results as they take their next steps, where most of the students will be joining us in our hugely successful Sixth Form. A huge thank you to the parents and hardworking staff who have supported the students in all they do.”
Jay Davenport, Regional Director for Thinking Schools Academy Trust, said:
“I would like to congratulate our Plympton Academy students collecting their results today. While we rightly celebrate the great outcomes achieved by many young people, today is also about recognising the commitment and resilience shown by every student throughout their journey with us. Success takes many forms, and every student should be proud of what they have accomplished and the opportunities that now lie ahead of them.
“These record-breaking results are also a reflection of the strong leadership provided by Mr. Willis and his team, who have worked tirelessly to secure sustained improvement for the school and its community. Plympton Academy's continued success is a testament to the ambition, dedication and high expectations that now underpin the academy as part of our Trust, and I am delighted to see students benefiting from this as they take their next steps.”
School staff enjoyed celebrating with students today and have been on hand to provide advice and guidance on the most appropriate level 3 courses. As usual, most of the students in Year 11 are considering A levels for their next steps with the majority of Year 11 likely to stay at PHSG.
Students performed particularly well in English language, history, music, food and nutrition, German and art and design. Alongside the school's overall success, many pupils have achieved exceptional individual results; a fifth of all students secured at least five GCSEs at grades 9 or 8 whilst a quarter of students achieved at least eight GCSEs at grades 9 to 7.
Particular mention should go to eight of our students including Emily B, Clara M, Cleo C and Olivia H who achieved grades 9 to 7 in all of their GCSEs. The school was also celebrating with younger students from Years 8 and 10 who took some GCSEs early, all results awarded were at grades 9 to 7.
Collecting her GCSE results today, Emily B, said:
“I love the community here at Plymouth High, I have always felt celebrated and valued without it feeling competitive. The community is so welcoming, I've made lots of friends in my year group. The teachers are reliable and genuinely go out of their way to support us. I’m looking forward to coming back for sixth form.”
Simon Underdown, Headteacher at Plymouth High School for Girls, said:
“It is wonderful to see our young people collect their GCSE results today and for them to be excited about what lies ahead. Students have worked hard and shown resilience and determination which has resulted in some superb outcomes. I am immensely grateful to our dedicated and caring staff team for the way they have helped our young people to perform at their best. My thanks also to our super parent body for their support and encouragement. I wish all our Year 11 good luck with their next steps and hope they enjoy their post 16 learning and beyond.”
Jay Davenport, Regional Director at Thinking Schools Academy Trust, said:
"Today is an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of our students and recognise the dedication they have shown in reaching this important milestone. We are incredibly proud of the Plymouth High School for Girls students and all they have accomplished, with the support of their families and the staff and leaders at the school. I look forward to seeing them build on this success as they take their next steps towards bright and exciting futures."
School leaders at Paignton Academy say the results reflect the hard work shown by pupils following two years of studies and the support given by dedicated staff and families.
In particular, outcomes in English Literature at both Grade 4+ and 5+ have also seen a significant rise with a 16% and 14% improvement respectively. Combined scores in English and maths have also seen strong improvements, with an 8% increase at grade 4 or higher and a 6% increase at grade 5 or higher.
Paignton Academy also saw continued strong results in many other subjects, including Art with 83% of students gaining a grade 4 or higher; child development with 90% at grade 4 and 34% at grade 7 or higher; food with an increase of 19% at grade 4 or higher and 12% improvement at grade 5; and health and social care with 81% gaining grade 4 or higher.
Alongside the school's overall success, many pupils have achieved exceptional individual results, including Evie York, Holly Platt and Jasmin Boadle, who all achieved every subject at grade 7 or above and Seb Mika, who achieved five grade 9s.
Student Abu I, pictured with Principal Derwyn Williams, says: “The teachers at Paignton Academy always encouraged me to do my best, which helped me I’m really happy with my grades.”
Derwyn Williams, Principal at Paignton Academy, said:
“We are very pleased with these outcomes, and they reflect the hard work of our students as well as the support provided by their families and the staff at Paignton Academy. We are particularly pleased with the significant improvements in English, with a 10% improvement at grade 4 and 9% at grade 5.
“These results reflect the commitment of the team and the positive impact of our new Year 11 curriculum. While school is about more than academic results, strong outcomes can open important opportunities for young people, so it is fantastic to see progress across a range of subjects. We are really proud of all our students and are now excited to see them go on to their next chapters.”
The school pleased to report once again that 30% of GCSE grades were Grade 7 or above (equivalent to an A or A*) and over 75% of grades were a ‘strong pass’ of Grade 5 and above.
The school saw particular success in subjects including chemistry, physics and GCSE physical education where over 50% of grades were at 7 and above. Additionally, over 40% of grades were at 7 and above in mathematics (with 16 students achieving a Grade 9) and design and technology and in drama and music 100% of students achieved a 5 and above.
Collecting his GCSE results today, Brodie H said: ‘I am really pleased with my results today. My hard work over the past few years has paid off. I am looking forward to staying at Holcombe to study A Levels in Biology, Maths and Psychology. I would like to thank my teachers for all of their support and am looking forward to Year 12’.
Chris B said: ‘I am feeling relieved but really pleased. I am staying at Holcombe to do Maths, Chemistry, Physics and Further Maths. I would like to thank all of my teachers for helping me over my time here’.
Lee Preston, Headteacher at Holcombe Grammar School, said: “This is another year of strong GCSE results at Holcombe Grammar School. It has been a pleasure celebrating these results with our students today and we look forward to welcoming many of them into our 6th form in September. Huge congratulations to our students, their parents and our dedicated staff.”
Michelle Smith, Regional Director South at Thinking Schools Academy Trust, said: “Congratulations to all students at The Portsmouth Academy on their fantastic achievements. These results reflect their hard work, alongside the dedication of staff and support of families. It is particularly pleasing to see the school achieve its strongest results in three years, demonstrating the continued progress being made across the Academy. We look forward to seeing what this talented cohort achieves next."
Collecting his GCSE results today, Josh Reid, said: “I’m so grateful to everyone that has supported me at The Portsmouth Academy over the years. I am over the moon with my results.”
For Brixham College, this year's GCSE results show that the school's overall performance has remained stable. Results in English and mathematics at both grade 4+ and grade 5+ are similar to last year, while the number of students achieving the highest grades (7+) in English and mathematics has increased by 3%.
The school are particularly encouraged by the progress made by students with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and those eligible for Pupil Premium support. More SEND students and Pupil Premium students achieved grade 4+ and grade 5+ in English and mathematics this year.
These outcomes reflect the school's continued focus on raising achievement for all students through targeted support, high expectations and a commitment to ensuring every young person can succeed. Brixham College saw particular success in our creative subjects; Photography, Art, 3D Design, Textiles and also Child Development and Sport. We are also really pleased with the 60% increase in the number of top grade 9s.
Today is a celebration of the commitment, perseverance and success of our young people. At Brixham College and across our schools, students have worked incredibly hard to achieve these outcomes, and we are proud of everything they have accomplished. We wish them every success as they move on to the exciting opportunities that lie ahead.
Rebecca Blackshaw, Principal at Brixham College, said:
We know that sustainable improvement comes from consistently doing the right things for our students, and we are encouraged by the progress we are seeing and will continue to work on.
We are especially pleased with the improvements made by our SEND and Pupil Premium students. More SEND students achieved strong passes in English and mathematics, and attainment for our Pupil Premium students has increased. These outcomes demonstrate the positive impact of the targeted support and high expectations we have put in place.
Today is about celebrating every student's success and recognising that there are many different pathways beyond Year 11. Whether students are moving on to sixth form, college, apprenticeships or employment, we are incredibly proud of all they have achieved. I would like to thank our staff, families and wider community for their support and congratulate our students on reaching this important milestone.
National GCSE results published today show a small increase in the number of students achieving the highest grades, with 22% of entries awarded a grade 7/A or above. At the same time, the proportion achieving a standard pass (grade 4/C and above) has returned to pre-pandemic levels.
There was also encouraging news on the attainment gap between boys and girls, which has narrowed again and is now at its lowest level this century, although girls continue to outperform boys overall. Across the country, regional differences in performance remain evident, with London continuing to achieve the strongest results nationally.
For the hundreds of thousands of young people receiving their results today, the grades represent an important milestone as they take their next steps into sixth form, college, apprenticeships and training.
Freya from Greatest Hits Radio is speaking with pupils at The Portsmouth Academy this morning. School leaders say the results, which are a record high over the last three years, reflect the hard work shown by students and the support given by both staff and families.
The number of students achieving a strong pass of grade 5 or higher in English and maths increased by 5%. The overall number of top grades also increased this year, with grades at 7 or higher rising by 3% and grades at 4 and 5 or higher increasing by 2%.
Sarah Dedman, Headteacher at The Portsmouth Academy, said:
“We are incredibly proud of our students, and the exam results they have achieved this year. These outcomes reflect the hard work, determination and resilience our young people have shown throughout their studies, and it is fantastic to see the improvements we have made continue to grow.
“These results are the product of a collective effort. I would like to thank our students for their commitment, our parents and carers for their unwavering support and our dedicated staff for the care, expertise and encouragement.
“We remain ambitious for every student and are excited about what lies ahead for them. We look forward to building on these successes and continuing to raise standards and opportunities for all young people at The Portsmouth Academy.”
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Good morning from Thinking Schools Academy Trust. Across our schools, students are collecting their GCSE results and taking the next step in their journey.
Whether they're heading in to sixth form, college, starting an apprenticeship or taking on other exciting opportunities, today is a chance to celebrate their achievements and look ahead with confidence.
Throughout the morning, we'll be sharing updates, photos, and stories from across our school communities, right here.
Congratulations to everyone receiving their results today. Whatever comes next, this is just the beginning.