GCSEs 2018: Dorset pupils collect their results

GCSEs have undergone a huge shake-up this year with exams moving to the new grade 9 to 1 - with 9 being the highest.

The new system aims to focus on end of year exams opposed to modular tests and coursework and are designed to be tougher for students.

Despite the huge changes pupils across the county have performed well.

The Thomas Hardye School in Dorchester is celebrating an 'exceptional' year with 77 per cent of students achieving five passes including English and maths - surpassing all previous records at the school.

Headteacher Mike Foley said he could not be happier as 81 per cent of students achieved passes in maths and 85 per cent in English.

Mr Foley said: “The exam system is being turned upside down and teachers have done a magnificent job to navigate us through such a turbulent period. Congratulations to all students who have achieved these results following such radical and demanding change.”

This year 41 Thomas Hardye students achieved the highest grade 9 and 28 students achieved 10 passes at the highest grades.

Pupil, Samuel Hill said he had surpassed his own expectations earning nine grades 9s and two grade 8s.

Robert Bennet is celebrating a clean sweep as he achieved grade 9s across the board.

"It's amazing," he said. "I didn't expect it - I'm happy but shocked. I don't quite know what is going on or how I'm feeling," he said.

Also achieving 9s across the board was 15-year-old Isabella White who took her GCSEs a year early.

"It's crazy. I thought I'd do well as I had put in the hard work, so I wasn't worried but I didn't expect all 9s," she said.

There were lots of smiling faces on Portland as Atlantic Academy Portland (AAP) earned impressive results.

More than 60 per cent of students gained five or more GCSEs at the standard pass rate.

The number of students passing English and maths at grade 4 and above has increased to 53 per cent - up from 42 per cent last year.

Mr Heap said: “We are absolutely delighted for such a dedicated and positive group of students. They recognised that there is no substitute for hard work, proving dedication pays off. The progress made by the students will place us amongst the highest performing schools in Dorset.”

Ieva Sturina achieved four grade nines, two distinction stars and two grade eights.

She said: “I’m feeling really shaken, but I’m happy. I expected to do well, but you don’t always know what you’ll get.”

Having achieved four grade sevens and two distinction stars, Josh Eyres is off to Weymouth College. “I didn’t expect to do so well. It was really hard,” he said.

Teachers at Wey Valley School in Weymouth praised students for passing the ‘harder’ exams.

Principal Sara Adams said she was delighted and said: “I am delighted that our students, who have worked so hard, have secured the grades that they need for their post-16 courses and destinations. Our students have shown real character in successfully undertaking these new, harder exams.”

The school is yet to disclose its results figures and pass rate.

Regina Jakob, achieved five GCSEs in total, including an A* in film studies, a grade 8 in English literature and a grade 6 in English language. She said: “I didn’t expect it. I am really glad I got an A* in film studies as I was worried about my exam not being that good.”

She is going on to study English literature, history and film studies at Weymouth College.

Staff at All Saints School in Weymouth are said to be 'delighted' with this year’s results.

Acting headteacher, Brian Boyes said students had achieved particularly well in art, geography, PE and food technology.

“So many students achieved extremely well and the school is proud of them all. We wish them the best for their future pathways," he said.

Benjamin Tracey achieved a 9 in biology with three 8s in chemistry, physics and maths.

He said he was “very pleased and relieved” with his results, and after completing A-levels, he hopes to study medicine at Oxford or Cambridge.

Amber Poulloin said she was 'surprised' after achieving three grade 9s, and would now be setting on the path to becoming a pilot in the Royal Navy.

Students at Budmouth College have achieved an impressive set of results, with 58 per cent achieving grades 9 to 4 in five or more subjects, including English and maths, with 75 per cent of students securing grades 9-4 in English and 70 per cent in maths.

Almost all students will now be able to pursue academic and vocational success at local sixth form colleges, with the majority expected to stay on at Budmouth.

Jodie Stone, who secured eight Grade 9s, said: "I was so nervous this morning but now I have my results I am really happy - really pleased." Jodie's proud mum, Susie, is 'chuffed' with her daughter's impressive results. "I'm a very happy mum," she said. "The school has been exceptional."

Other notable performances include Emily Foster, who secured six 9s, and Jon Starkey and Ethan Clark who were the most successful amongst the boys, securing five 9s each.

Budmouth principal, Richard Jacobs, said: “We are thrilled that so many of our students have secured the grades they need to take the first steps toward university or apprenticeship training.

"We want to congratulate every student, not just at Budmouth, but throughout every secondary school in Weymouth and Portland. After last week’s successes in A-levels, the results today just confirm the incredible potential our town has to forge a successful future.

"We are very pleased with the significant improvement in our GCSE results from last year. Our students have studied well, worked hard and thoroughly deserve their success.”

The Blandford School is celebrating after smashing the school's records for the second time this summer.

76 per cent of students achieved a standard pass in English and 64 per cent a strong pass.

In maths, 72 per cent achieved a standard pass and 52 per cent a strong pass.

A quarter of entries achieved grades 9 to 7 and 75 per cent 9 to 4.

Science results were the ‘best ever’ for the school and other subjects have shown significant improvement including geography and languages.

Pupils Samuel Hughes and Mansoon Tamang top the leaderboard with both achieving seven grade 9s, two grade 8s and one grade A.

Sally Wilson, headteacher said: "I am thrilled to see so many of our students of all abilities doing so well.

"Students have worked incredibly hard and one can only admire the commitment and determination of our young people who have achieved such high grades across a broad range of disciplines.

"I would like to publically congratulate my colleagues whose dedication and resilience in a period of significant assessment and curriculum change should be applauded.’

Also celebrating is the Purbeck School which improved on last year's results which placed it firmly in the top 20 per cent of schools nationally.

Headteacher Adam Darley said: "These are a superb set of results, we are so proud of the students.

"The changes to the subject specifications and grading system in order to strengthen GCSEs have led to some of the toughest educational challenges that we have known a year group have to contend with.

"Students and staff have stood up to this challenge and posted some of the best results that the school has ever seen. Congratulations to all of our students, we look forward to welcoming the majority of you back to 6th form and best wishes to those moving to pastures new."

There were some impressive individual results with a number of students attaining the new highest grades of 8 and 9 including Maddie Wainwright who achieved four grade 9s and five grade 8s and Oscar Williams who scored four grade 9s and 3 grade 8s.

Students at The Gryphon School also produced excellent results.

The percentage of exams awarded at level 7 or above rising to over 25 per cent and 79 per cent of exams were awarded a grade 4 or above.

Headteacher Nicki Edwards, said: “These excellent outcomes are a testimony to the hard work of our students and the commitment of our staff. In a year of turbulence real team work has produced these excellent results. ”