Gosport schools show improved GCSE results after a difficult few years

TWO previously failing schools gained superb GCSE results as rapid improvements were made at the school.
From left, Alistair Ellis, Edward Gandar, James Leaverlamp, and Andrew Graham at Bay House School in Gosport 
Picture: Ian Hargreaves (161201-3)From left, Alistair Ellis, Edward Gandar, James Leaverlamp, and Andrew Graham at Bay House School in Gosport 
Picture: Ian Hargreaves (161201-3)
From left, Alistair Ellis, Edward Gandar, James Leaverlamp, and Andrew Graham at Bay House School in Gosport Picture: Ian Hargreaves (161201-3)

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.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Despite its recent struggles, the school’s overall results have improved.

Connor Robertson, Alice Kyte, and Sam Hall at Bay House School 
(161201-9)Connor Robertson, Alice Kyte, and Sam Hall at Bay House School 
(161201-9)
Connor Robertson, Alice Kyte, and Sam Hall at Bay House School (161201-9)

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.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

‘We care about every student that comes through our door and the community deserves a school like it.

Gabrielle Seldon and Alice Goulding at Bay House (161201-11)Gabrielle Seldon and Alice Goulding at Bay House (161201-11)
Gabrielle Seldon and Alice Goulding at Bay House (161201-11)

‘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.’

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Lewis Smith, 16, from Rowner, gained A*s in maths and further maths.

Caitlyn Chetwood, Georgia Haldick, Kaydee King and Alanta Vincent with the GCSE results at Brune ParkCaitlyn Chetwood, Georgia Haldick, Kaydee King and Alanta Vincent with the GCSE results at Brune Park
Caitlyn Chetwood, Georgia Haldick, Kaydee King and Alanta Vincent with the GCSE results at Brune Park

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.’

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Nathan Hudson, 16, excelled by gaining five A*s and a star distinction in engineering and is know going on to do an apprenticeship.

Dean Potter celebrates getting As in English language and maths at Bridgemary School.

Picture: Will RooneyDean Potter celebrates getting As in English language and maths at Bridgemary School.

Picture: Will Rooney
Dean Potter celebrates getting As in English language and maths at Bridgemary School. Picture: Will Rooney

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.’

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Bridgemary 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.

Connor Robertson, Alice Kyte, and Sam Hall at Bay House School 
(161201-9)Connor Robertson, Alice Kyte, and Sam Hall at Bay House School 
(161201-9)
Connor Robertson, Alice Kyte, and Sam Hall at Bay House School (161201-9)

‘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.

Hide Ad
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.’

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Dean 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.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Headteacher 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.’

Related topics: