Students set a new school GCSE record
In English and English literature 90% of students achieved grade four or higher, while the figure in mathematics was 80%. 85% of students gained two or more good GCSEs in science, with 68% of students in biology and 61% in chemistry awarded a grade 7, 8 or 9.
In total, 79% of students gained good passes in both English and mathematics, while 49% of students achieved the English Baccalaureate – almost twice the national average.
There were some remarkable individual successes with both boys and girls achieving top grades across all subjects. Lily Xia led the way, sweeping the board with ten grade 9s in each of her GCSE subjects. In 2018 only 335 students nationally achieved this exceptional feat. Hot on Lily’s heels were Fintan McBride with five grade 9s and five grade 8s, Emma Sinden with six grade 9s, a grade 8 and three grade 7s, Ella Church with four grade 9s and five grade 8s, Sally Lewin with four grade 9s, two grade 8s and two grade 7s, Honesty Shaw-Young with three grade 9s, five grade 8s and a grade 7, James Taylor with four grade 9s and three grade 8s and Archie Tyrrell with three grade 9s, four grade 8s and two grade 7s.
Lily Xia Emma Sinden
Results were very strong across all subjects, but the school’s history students again performed particularly well with a third of passes awarded at grades 7 to 9, while its talented musicians were delighted with their results, with 57% achieving grades 7, 8 or 9.
L-R: Archie Tyrrell, Ella Church, Fintan McBride, Sally Lewin, James Taylor, Honesty Shaw-Young
Headteacher Lindsey Cooke commented:
‘We are so excited for our GCSE students. They are our biggest cohort ever, and all of their teachers are delighted to see their exceptional hard work rewarded in this way. It is a particular pleasure to see so many of these committed and dedicated students gaining top grades, or grades which have exceeded all of our expectations. The 2019 cohort had a remarkable work ethic, a fabulous attitude and have set a new standard for academic excellence; the school is proud of each and every one of them. We are already looking forward to welcoming the majority of these wonderful young people back to our sixth form to commence the next exciting stage in their education. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the parents and families of all our GCSE and A level students, as well as their dedicated teachers. The new, tougher examinations place a great deal of additional strain on both the candidates themselves and everyone involved in supporting them. This has been an amazing team effort.’
A limited number of places remain available for some sixth form courses. Please contact the school as quickly as possible for further details:
Mr Matthew Scanlan, Head of Sixth Form
Tel: 01684 593241
E-mail: Scanlanm@hanleycastlehs.org.uk