Stratford district students celebrate GCSE results – individual school results and photos will be updated this morning

Published: 10:51, 24 August 2023

| Updated: 14:23, 30 August 2023

Full story and photos will be in next week’s Herald (31st August). A level story in today’s Herald.

As GCSE results roll in around the Stratford district this morning spirits were largely high, although there were some disappointments as grades were down on previous years. Top grades in England were down more than four percentage points on last year’s results – with 22.4% of results for 16-year-olds at grade 7 or above, equivalent to an A.

Results were expected to fall after the government announced plans to return grades to 2019 levels, though this year’s results still hovered slightly above pre-pandemic levels when 21.9% of grades were 7 and above. At the peak of grade inflation in 2021, 30% of entries were awarded top grades.

One of the schools that was celebrating with above national average marks was Shipston – the Herald had a chat with head Gavin Saunders, and a pleased student on her way to sixth-form and A levels

Shipston High School

Statement from head Mr Gavin Saunders

Shipston High School students have achieved fantastic GCSE results this year, and I congratulate them all. Students in year 11 worked extremely hard studying for their exams, including through periods of pandemic lockdown and remote learning, and their commitment has been rewarded with impressive individual performances and extremely strong results across the school. All students should be very proud.

Shipston High School students celebrate their GCSE results.

These results show the results of sustained hard work and the excellent progress students make at the school. I am delighted that these results epower students to go on to fulfil their post 16 ambitions.

Once again Shipston students have achieved strong grades in core subjects, well ahead of national averages. Around 80 % of students secured grades between 4 and 9 in English and similarly in Maths. Shipston students secured an impressive array of top grades 8 and 9 across the subject range, including students with multiple grades at 7, 8 and 9.

A quarter of all students achieved a 7, 8 or 9 in English. Students have achieved the challenging grade 9 in a wide variety of academic subjects, showing a consistently high performance in a diverse range of disciplines. It’s very impressive. Results include one student with eight grade 9s, another with eight grade 8s and a grade 9, with yet another with two grade 9s and six grade 8s, along with other similar achievements across year 11.

As important as individual grades achieved is the sustained progress from students, with an impressive majority exceeding their expected outcomes.

The school has an enviable reputation of academic strength. The school’s focus on quality education, and our work preparing students for adult life, enables students to move onto a wide range of fulfilling careers. 2023 results demonstrate the strong academic focus of Shipston High School. This is also a day to remember the shared commitment of families, friends and staff supporting our young people through their studies. All students should be congratulated. Well done to everyone.

There was a vibrant and shared joy in the school as results were collected. Shipston students have once again excelled; congratulations.

Stratford Girls’ Grammar School

SGGS is once again celebrating the success of their Year 11 students as full GCSE examinations returned. Year on year, SGGS students’ GCSE exam successes go from strength to strength. In spite of the warnings about a return to near 2019 standards, with a drop in grades compared to the last three years, our Year 11 students have produced an excellent set of results. Together, they have achieved 37% at Grade 9, 67% at Grade 9/8 and 86% at Grade 9/7. Further congratulations go to the 19 students who received 8 or more Grade 9s, which is a fantastic achievement.

Headteacher, Jacqui Cornell, said, “Huge congratulations to each and every one of our students, and also to their parents who have supported them with us along the way. Our students’ capacity to succeed never ceases to amaze us. These outstanding results reflect our commitment to offer a broad and balanced education that meets the needs of our students, as well as their flexibility in thought and deed in pursuit of their aspirations. It has been a tumultuous educational journey for them all since March 2020, during which they have been tested by many factors beyond their control. Knowing this, we are especially delighted for all of our students as they receive their GCSE results today. The results show not only how well they have risen to all the challenges of the last three years, but prove that they have not been held back. We are proud of our continued success as a school, and because our students are now placed in the best possible position to access their chosen long-term destination: university, higher apprenticeship or the world of work. We are excited to welcome the many joining us for sixth form and to celebrating their ongoing successes with them.”

King Edward VI School

Despite the return to pre-pandemic grade boundaries, King Edward VI School has seen achievement at GCSE rise to new heights. A record 84.2% of papers received the top 9 to 7 grades, with thirty students achieving five grade 9s or better. Amongst them were Swan and Kashyap, Advait Paigude, Rohan Rajathurai and Jonathan Smith who obtained ten grade 9s and Aarav Desai, Matt Gowland, Charlie Hutton and Daniel Newington who received nine. These achievements come a week after record-breaking A Level results were also recorded at the School, which were the best in Warwickshire and placed K.E.S. amongst the nation’s top 10 co-educational state Sixth Forms.

Bennet Carr, Headmaster, said “It is particularly pleasing to see our students achieve record-breaking GCSE results despite the more challenging circumstances this year. Whilst Ofqual’s decision to return grades to pre-pandemic levels is understandably controversial, I support the underlying principle, as it is vital that public confidence in the grades achieved in national qualifications is preserved. Given this context, our students deserve huge credit for the resilience they have each shown in achieving these superb outcomes. They are, of course, tribute not only to the students’ hard work but also the wonderful support they have received from their teachers and families”.

Alcester Academy

Headteacher Sarah Mellors said: “We are extremely proud of the hard work and commitment shown by our Year 11s. The GCSE outcomes for 2023 reflect a very successful educational recovery after several extremely challenging pandemic years. This cohort of students have shown maturity and dedication towards their studies at Alcester Academy.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank the staff team and governors at the academy, and the Year 11 parents/carers for their contribution, support and relentless encouragement. We are delighted that 86% of Year 11 students leave the academy this year with a grade 4 or higher in GCSE English and maths. This is a significant increase on the same measure from 2022, and it opens up countless choices for our students with regard to the post 16 destinations available to them.

“Without any doubt, our students deserve this success, and on behalf of the entire school community, we send our best wishes to this cohort for their future. We are very proud of every student.”

Chipping Campden School

Chipping Campden School students were celebrating an impressive set of GCSE grades across a wide range of subjects, reflecting an intense period of hard work and commitment.

Following two national lockdowns and the eventual return to the classroom, students were finally able to celebrate all they have achieved despite the unprecedented period of disruption to their schooling.

As an outstanding school, Chipping Campden School students were well placed to have their efforts reflected in the GCSE grades with 6% achieving grade 9 and a quarter of all grades (25%) were 9-7 grades. In addition, two thirds of all grades (66%) were a good pass or above (grades 9-5) with 80% of all grades at the school being a standard pass (grades 9-4).

GCSE students at Chipping Campden School.

Among those achieving a sweep of top grades was George Swayne, Rupert Hudson, Becky Morris, Sophia Rose, Elsie Rushworth, Poppy Queenan, Emilia Croxson, Alice Griffiths, Cavan Lynch, Georgina Jackson and Lily Holder. In addition, Siobhan Mills was named as one of the highest performers nationally in OCR’s GCSE Fine Art and Design exam.

In congratulating students and staff on such fantastic grades, principal John Sanderson, said: “I’m delighted to see so many students being awarded the GCSE grades they richly deserve. They have had so much to cope with over the last few years and clearly overcame a great many challenges along the way.

“Both students and staff have worked extremely hard and have every reason to feel proud of their achievements this year. With such encouraging grades we are really looking forward to welcoming so many of our students, along with others from surrounding schools, back into our sixth form in September.”

Stratford School

“We are delighted to release a very strong set of GCSE results with school records broken in numerous categories. That these results have been achieved by students in our largest ever cohort of 274 students, whose experience of secondary education has featured lockdowns, learning online and face-to-face, in the first year when thresholds have returned to pre-pandemic levels, is particularly remarkable.

“The national debate is likely to focus on the reduced number of top grades awarded, however, we are delighted to have performed very well at the top end with 98 grade 9s awarded (up from 35 in 2019) and 150 grade 8s awarded (up from 116 in 2019). As a comprehensive school, we are delighted to have seen so many students from different backgrounds achieving so well.

“Overall, 15% of our students achieved at least one grade 9 or better, 33% achieved at least one grade 8 or better and 52% achieved at least one grade 7 or better. These results reflect both great teaching and the impact of our ‘Aim Higher’ sessions which students attend voluntarily afterschool.

“So many students deserve great credit for all they have achieved, as do the members of staff and families who have supported them throughout the pandemic and beyond.

“We wish every one of our students the very best for the future and look forward to welcoming many of them back into the Sixth Form, alongside students from other local schools who have also been enrolling online today.”

Henley-in-Arden School

Headteacher Joseph Roper said: “Henley-in-Arden is celebrating its highest set of results in years with our students and staff today. At 9am our students received their results, and the atmosphere was electric. 87% of students achieved their pass in English, and 75% of students in Maths. One in four of our grades was a grade 7 or above (the equivalent to a Grade A).

“Above all the students’ results are a reflection of their hard work, and the fantastic support of our staff and parents.”

St Benedict’s Catholic High School students are celebrating their GCSE results with students excelling and achieving beyond expectations.

In English, for example, over a quarter of all students achieved an impressive Grade 9-7, with scores of students securing the very top grades.

Students are planning their futures having achieved their desired grades, with a record number of applicants applying to St Benedict’s Sixth Form in the new academic year.

Among the happy faces were:

Ciara Hart who was overjoyed to have achieved 8 Grade 9s and a Grade 8.
Katherine Phillips secured 7 Grade 9s, a Grade 8 and Grade 7.
Emma Smith was pleased to have achieved 7 Grade 9s and 2 Grade 8s.
Gabriel Gaiser achieved a fantastic set of result securing 6 Grade 9s, 2 Grade 8s and a Grade 6.
Emma Francioni was elated to have achieved 5 Grade 9s, 3 Grade 8s and a Grade 7.

Luke Payton, Headteacher at St Benedict’s, said: “This is the first formal set of exams our students have sat since Covid, and they were under immense pressure to achieve well. But with the support of our community, we’ve come together to support each other.

“The results are a direct example of the support and dedication of the entire community of the school, and they have all done exceptionally well. Our students should be incredibly proud of themselves.”

The school, part of the Our Lady of the Magnificat Multi Academy, have encouraged students to look at all the options possible to achieve their dreams.

Mr Payton added: “These fantastic results will help our students to determine their future plans, and I can’t wait to see what they make of them.

“We wish them all the very best for the future.”

Kineton High School

Kineton High School celebrates and congratulates all its Year 11 students on their brilliant success at GCSEs. Their results are a testament to their hard effort and determination throughout a period of challenge and disruption and in a year when grade boundaries have been adjusted to 2019 levels.

On basic measures, nearly half of all students gained a strong pass in English and Maths and three quarters gained a standard pass in both. Pleasingly, over a fifth all grades awarded were grades 9-7 or equivalent and the school’s vocational results were the best they’ve ever been.

Headteacher, Helen Bridge said: “I’m so proud of our students this year. I was disappointed in the decision to take grade boundaries in England back to 2019 levels as the significant challenges faced by this year group through the COVID era and since, had the potential to seriously affect students’ next steps. However, we are positive that our cohort will be able to enter their destinations of choice with such strong outcomes.”

There were many amazing results where individual students did incredibly well in the face of adversity. Notably outstanding grades were achieved by these students; D’Arcy Charles 7x9, 1x8,1x7; Bea Scorer 5x9,4x8; Xanthippe Morley 2x9,7x8,1x7; Charlotte Elliot 4x9,2x8,2x7; Martha Wainwright 2x9,3x8,4x7; Joe Sparkes 5x8,2x7,3x6; Ben Lee L2D* 3X8,4X7,1X6,1X5.

Thanks go to all the staff at the school and parents/carers for their support. We hope to see many of our Year 11 back in the sixth form and wish all of them the very best for the future.”

Kineton High School students Adam Barnett, Will McCann, Gabriel Ekoja and Tristan Musekiwa pictured this morning withtheir GCSE results.

Students are celebrating GCSE results at St Benedict's Catholic High School

St Benedict’s Catholic High School students are celebrating their GCSE results with students excelling and achieving beyond expectations.