Gosport schools show improved GCSE results after a difficult few years
Bridgemary School and Brune Park Community School both celebrated improved results in English after a difficult few years.
As reported by The News, Brune Park was placed into special measures by Ofsted earlier in the year, which subsequently led to the then headteacher Richard Kelly leaving his post.
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Hide AdDespite its recent struggles, the school’s overall results have improved.
English results were a particular highlight, with 66 per cent of students gaining a C or better and Ali Beechurst, deputy headteacher of Brune Park, hopes that is the standard all departments strive for.
She said: ‘We’ve always known that we are a good school and our results have shown that.
‘I think now what we have got to do is show how there can be excellence for all students who attend.
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Hide Ad‘We care about every student that comes through our door and the community deserves a school like it.
‘We’re confident that we will get there but we know we have a long way to go to achieve our aim.
‘Our English staff have been excellent with the students. They did not give up on one single pupil, and stayed behind late until 7pm a lot of nights and came in during the holiday.
‘Dance and drama also did excellently and we now need to replicate those results across other areas of the school.’
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Hide AdLewis Smith, 16, from Rowner, gained A*s in maths and further maths.
He said: ‘I’m delighted with my results and a lot of them are better than I expected. I was petrified coming to get them!’
Lucy Cooper, 16, from Alverstoke, said: ‘I got an A in maths which I really did not expect to get. I thought I was going to get a B.
‘I don’t really know what I want to do as a career but I’m now going to Bay House Sixth Form and I’m looking forward to doing the subjects I’m interested in.’
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Hide AdNathan Hudson, 16, excelled by gaining five A*s and a star distinction in engineering and is know going on to do an apprenticeship.
He said: ‘I didn’t put as much effort in as I should so I am quite surprised.
‘I really hope the results today change the way people see the school as a lot of people see Brune Park as failing.
‘I’d really like to have my own engineering business one day.’
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Hide AdBridgemary School in Wych Lane, were recently rated ‘good’ by Ofsted and its results reflected the upward curve teachers hope it is on.
Headteacher Vicki White said she recognises that the school isn’t yet where she would like it to be but said she knows Bridgemary is on the right track.
She said: ‘Things aren’t going to happen overnight and in this day and age instant results are expected.
‘Previously, you were judged on the first five years of being at a school when a year group has gone right the way through school.
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Hide Ad‘We are delighted with our English results, with a 56 per cent A*-C pass rate.
‘Maths is lower than we would have liked. However the goalposts changed again as grade boundaries increased and the students did not have proper maths teaching for four years.
‘Also, we’re a small school so our statistics are more affected if just one student fails. The results are better than we hoped for and we are delighted.
‘We have excellent staff here at Bridgemary and we can continue to improve results.’
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Hide AdDean Potter, 16, picked up her results before heading off to the Reading Festival.
She said: ‘I was quite chilled over the summer about the results and I’m most pleased about my B in art.
Amy Clarke, 16, said: ‘There were times when I didn’t go out to revise. I can’t really revise at home as I get distracted easily so the support I have had from teachers was amazing.’
Meanwhile, Bay House maintained its high standards as it enjoyed another spectacular year of GCSE results.
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Hide AdHeadteacher Ian Potter said: ‘We’re proud of the grades that the students have achieved and they’re some of the best grades we’ve ever had.
‘It has been a real team effort from staff and students. Every pupil has progressed and they’ve surpassed target expectations. They were a great year group to work with.’
Edward Gandar, 16, who got A*s in maths and history, said: ‘I’m so happy with my results. I didn’t get much sleep last night and I couldn’t eat anything this morning.’