GCSE students across the Isle of Wight are celebrating their hard work and achievements over the 2020/2021 academic year, with the Isle of Wight Council praising them on their ongoing resilience despite the challenges caused by COVID-19.
Last year, public examinations were cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic and pupils were therefore awarded 2019/2020 GCSE results based on an assessment by their teachers. This year, public examinations have again been cancelled and 2020/2021 GCSEs grades have been based on a revised teacher assessment process introduced by Ofqual – the body responsible for regulating GCSEs and A Levels – in February 2021. This has meant that a considerable amount of additional work needed to be undertaken by both teachers and pupils to enable GCSE equivalent grades to be accurately determined in the absence of external examinations.
Cabinet lead for Children’s Services, Education and Skills, Councillor Debbie Andre, said:
“It has been another challenging year for students, parents and our teaching staff alike. With the disruption caused by lockdowns, students and school staff having to self-isolate at various points over the year, and the changes to the GCSE process, it’s been inspiring to see how everyone has rallied round and overcome these adversities.
“I wish to thank parents and carers for the support they have given their young people during this time, and I am also deeply grateful to all secondary school staff for the additional work they have shouldered this year to ensure pupils could be properly assessed for their GCSEs. Schools have informed us about some wonderful achievements – my heartfelt congratulations to you all.”
Cowes Enterprise College
Cowes Enterprise College is celebrating their student’s GCSE results, including:
- Lottie Heathcote who successfully achieved 9 in Biology, Physics, Chemistry, Maths, English Literature, Geography and Spanish, Distinction * in Sport Studies and 8 in English and Art.
- Gabby Hippolite who successfully achieved 9 in Biology, Physics, Chemistry, Design Technology, Geography and Spanish, Distinction * in ICT/Media and 8 in Maths, English Literature and English. She also successfully completed her Duke of Edinburgh Silver.
- Rufus Reader successfully achieved 9 in History, Music, Distinction* in ICT/Media and 8 in Drama, English, English Literature, Maths, Combined Science and Spanish. He will continue to study A levels at Cowes Enterprise College.
- Freddie Newton successfully achieved 9 in English, Geography, PE and Distinction* in Sport Studies and ICT/Media. 8 in Chemistry and Maths; and 7 in Biology, Physics, English Literature and Spanish. He will go on to study A levels at Cowes Enterprise College.
Rachel Kitley, Principal at Cowes Enterprise College, said:
“Despite an unusual couple of years, students have risen to the occasion and proved themselves time and time again, exhibiting strength, resilience and compassion. I couldn’t be prouder of them as they collect their GCSE results, which are extremely well-deserved and a testament to all their hard work under challenging circumstances.
Article continues below this advertisement “I’d also like to thank everyone who has been supportive throughout the year, particularly staff and family members. I know they’ll all join me in cheering on our students as they take their next steps.”
Christ the King College
Mr McDermott, Headteacher, has said:
“I am very proud of our Year 11 GCSE students at Christ the King. During this time of school closure, they have demonstrated resilience, independence, creativity and positivity. The disruption to their education because of COVID has been well documented and throughout they demonstrated tremendous positivity, this is credit to each and every one of them. I have always believed that GCSE results are important because a strong set of results provide the key to open many doors in the future.
“The results show that the College is on a journey of continuous improvement.
“I would like to thank in particular senior staff in the school and our exams officer, who have responded to the changes in arrangements with professionalism and thoughtfulness.
“These examination results represent years of hard work and dedication from our students, their teachers and tremendous support from parents and carers. This year an extraordinary effort was required to complete the assessments through the months of April and May.
“We look forward to welcoming most of our students back in September to continue their studies with us. Christ the King is a community where there are no barriers to students fulfilling their potential”.
Ryde Academy
Joy Ballard, Principal of Ryde Academy, has said:
“I am delighted for our Year 11 students – they have worked so hard, both this year and last year, despite all of the challenges and disruption that Covid brought.
“They deserve these grades and I am incredibly proud of what each and every one of them has achieved. Whether they are going onto study A Levels, vocational qualifications, or going into employment or training, they have a bright future ahead.”
Highlighted performances include:
- Ruby Hendy achieved 9 grade 9s and a grade 7
- Anna Cockayne achieved 8 grade 9s, 2 grade 8s
- Ed Humphries achieved 4 grade 9s, 5 grade 8s and a 7
- Hannah Ainsworth achieved 6 grade 9s, 4 grade 8s
- Oliver Brunton achieved 6 grade 9s, 3 grade 8s and a grade 7
- Maddie Hemper achieved 3 grade 9s, 4 grade 8s, 2 grade 7s and a grade 6
- Mahima Begum achieved 3 grade 9s, 3 grade 8s and a 7
- Jessica Way made the most progress of all students gaining 4 grade 8s, 5 grade 7s and a grade 5 with progress score +3.08.
Carisbrooke College
The governors and staff are very proud that the majority of students are remaining within the Isle of Wight Education Federation community, by moving on to take A Level and vocational Level 3 courses at The Island VI Form. However, students are also progressing into a range of apprenticeships and other further education studies both on and off the Island.
Head of School at Carisbrooke College, Karen Begley, said:
“I am immensely proud of each and every one of our year 11 students. They remained motivated throughout the year and worked really hard to make sure that they achieved their full potential.
“My sincere thanks go to staff and parents alike who have supported our students to ensure their success through some very difficult periods. I wish all of the students the very best as they take the next step in their educational journey.”
Medina College
Matthew Parr-Burman, Executive Headteacher for the Isle of Wight Education Federation and Head of School for Medina College, said:
“The students at Medina College have performed fantastically this year. They have gone through the toughest year in education that I have ever experienced and have exceeded all expectations. I am very proud of them all.
“The results this year are generated by Teacher Assessed Grades which reflect evidence gathered over a much longer period of time than traditional examination based results. Teachers have shown integrity in this process and I am pleased that the results show the true abilities of students.”
“I am extremely proud of our school and would like to thank the staff and parents for their support. I wish each and every student all the best for the future.”
Ryde School
Ryde School has seen 36% of all GCSE grades at 9 or 8 with more than half the results in English and Maths at grade 7 and above for the second year in a row.
Some 20 students achieved an 8 or 9 in at least 7 subjects: Matthew Beasley, Joseph Caddick, Ruby Dalloz, Marie Dartigues, Amanda Dutton, Daisy Dyer, Imogen Elsmore, Sara Hesse, Saffron Irons, Pippa Lewin, Harry Minchin, Ailsa Nuttall, Tallulah Pearce, Karina Piper, Millie Platt, James Potter, Genevieve Thompson, William Turrell and Álvaro Vincente Tarragó and Erin Young.
Particular congratulations to Ailsa and Erin who both secured nines in all 10 subjects.
Headmaster Mark Waldron commented:
“It is so good to see pupils receiving these well-deserved results today. As a year group the pupils and teachers have not only had to contend with two years of disrupted learning, they have also faced more assessments and work load in the final months of the course than previous years. I am really very proud that we have sustained and improved on last year’s results whilst maintaining high standards and there is much to celebrate on both a personal and school-wide level.
“Given our pupils’ wide range of abilities, it is especially pleasing to see a big increase in the number of pupils getting their Ebacc and 100% of pupils getting a 4 or above in Maths and English. They have certainly earned these results today and parents and teachers, who have worked alongside them in these challenging times, should happily join in the celebrations”.
Any young person who has received their results and needs help or advice about their next options can speak to their school’s careers advisor or contact Island Futures – the council’s career advice service for young people – email [email protected] or call 01983 823888. You call also visit the Island Futures website, which has information and advice for an extensive range of careers.
Island Futures – the Isle of Wight Council’s careers advice service for young people – is operating a GCSE phone line today and tomorrow, between 09:00-17:00, that young people can call for advice: 01983 823888.
Well done each and every one of you … wish you every success for your futures!