Park Community School in Leigh Park celebrates 'fantastic' GCSE results as pupils tough out 'rubbish' year

Park Community School students Olivia Engall and Ella Jeffery, both 16, said they were relieved to receive their centre assessed grades after being ‘very worried’ watching the A-level saga play out last week.

Ella said: ‘When there was the algorithm, I was very worried – I’m glad it was changed.’

Olivia added: ‘This year has been completely rubbish. Not ideal at all. It is what it is – but I think people will get angrier if things don’t get better soon.’

The school intends to publish its complete results after Btec grades are released next week, according to headteacher Chris Anders.

He said: ‘It’s been difficult for me as a headteacher so for students and their families its been even more difficult.

‘We’ve been doing our best to maintain contact with students, but its not the same as having them within school.

‘It’s wonderful seeing the year 11s come back, but it doesn’t have the usual surprises in it for us as we know now that the government has gone with the centre assessed grades.

‘We’re pleased with the outcome and feel that it’s fair – but it was a surprise when the Btec results were pulled.’

Ella Churchill is hoping to study sports science at A-level at Havant and South Downs College – but she’s still waiting to find out whether she’s made the grade due to the Btec delays.

She said: ‘I’m not too sure what's happening with that.

‘I need my result in PE to get into college.

‘It has been quiet confusing.’

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She said the U-turn over A-level grades had proved worrying: ‘I saw people downgraded from As to Bs – so I was very worried about today.’

Havant MP Alan Mak visited the school to congratulate the student’s in person, saying the results were ‘fantastic.’

He said: ‘Today’s a very big day – they’ve had some fantastic results, everyone has worked really hard despite some tough circumstances.

‘It’s really positive news for the constituency.’

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