Hampshire and Portsmouth students celebrate GCSE results despite challenge of lockdown
After a last minute government U-turn on Monday (August 17) pupils were awarded teacher-predicted marks rather than a calculated algorithm which took into account the school’s academic attainment over the past few years.
Trafalgar School in Hilsea reported a number of students who achieved outstanding results.
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Hide AdJodesha Antoine, 16, was awarded four grade 9s, two 8s, two 7s and a level two distinction in engineering.
Jodesha said: ‘I am ecstatically pleased with my results and relieved that teachers were the ones making the decisions on our grades. They know us best and our standard of work and I had worked really hard to achieve the grades that I have.’
Classmate, Rifath Ahmed, 16, who scored three 9s, two 8s, three 7s and also attained a level two distinction in engineering, added: ‘I have worked hard and am really pleased with my results. It was good to hear the government had decided to use the grades that our teachers had provided as they are best placed to decide what grade and standard we are at as they assess us throughout the year.’
At Mayville High School in Southsea, 96 per cent of pupils achieved five or more GCSEs at grade 4 (low old grade C) or above, including English and maths.
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Hide AdHeadteacher Rebecca Parkyn said: ‘It was lovely to see our Year 11s collect their GCSE results following such a turbulent time for them. Happy pupils and happy parents was what we wanted to see and what we got.
‘The U-turn was very welcome and our pupils received the grades allocated by our staff who know them best and who have an understanding of the context in which they were achieved.
‘We are delighted with our results.’
Students at Bourne Community College in Emsworth had a large number of pupils securing grade 7s (old grade A) and above. In total, 20 per cent of pupils were within this mark band for all of their subjects while 33 per cent achieved this in maths and English.
Headteacher Yvonne Watkins said: ‘The students had an abrupt end to their school career at Bourne Community College with Covid-19 but we were delighted to see the fruition of all their efforts, despite such an unusual and difficult time, and they have done themselves proud with the culmination of their results.’
SEE ALSO: Hampshire students ‘confused’ as to why teachers' grades ‘weren’t trusted in the first place’
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Hide AdHampshire County Council’s executive member for education, councillor Roz Chadd, was keen to praise students for their achievements in the face of adversity.
Cllr Chadd said: ‘With schools finishing so suddenly this year and exams not taking place, it’s been an uncertain and worrying time for many 16-year-olds and their families. I’d really like to congratulate them on how well they have done in the face of the coronavirus adversity.’