More excellent GCSE results

Coventry students with reasons to celebrate!

Since our earlier report, see: Catholic Schools celebrate GCSE success - several more Catholic schools, from Coventry, Ilkeston in Derbyshire, Chertsey, west London and Painsley in Staffordshire have sent in their excellent GCSE results. Congratulations to everyone achieving such fine results - particularly this year with schools just returning to 'normal' after the difficult restrictions of the pandemic.

Coventry: Cardinal Wiseman Catholic School

Pupils at Cardinal Wiseman Catholic School in Coventry celebrated 'remarkable' GCSE results after returning to pre-pandemic exam conditions.

The school, which is part of the Romero Catholic Academy, reported widespread improvement on its 2019 results, with many pupils saying they did better than expected after moving away from teacher assessed grades.

The percentage of top grades (9-7) rose across a number of key subjects including Math, English Literature and English Language.

Tom Stephens, who scored four 9s, six 8s and a 7, will study Maths, Physics, Philosophy and Further Maths at Cardinal Wiseman Sixth Form next year. He said: "I'm over the moon. In some subjects I've done way better than I did in my mocks, so I'm really happy with that.

"During exams I was revising every night, which seems to have paid off, so I didn't have time to think about the outcome. It's only recently that I've started to get nervous but I'm really pleased with the results."

Jahnvi Yadav achieved two 9s, eight 8s and a 7 will study Maths, Further Maths, Computer Science and Physics WMG. She said: "I was very nervous and scared and it felt like a long wait, so I'm feeling very relieved today.

"This was the first time doing proper exams and I felt quite uncertain about how I would go. I was really happy with English language, and I didn't expect to do so well in Chemistry and Biology."

Benita Hubert, who achieved four 9s, three 8s, two 7s and two 6s, said: "I'm in shock right now but really, really happy. I have to give credit to my teachers because they helped me when I was feeling nervous. Now seeing the results, it feels like my hard work has paid off.

"The school helped us to tackle the exams, helping with past papers and exam techniques, looking at our strengths and weaknesses in all subjects. The science department really gave me a spark to try and continue my success at A Levels. I thought I'd fumbled French but I'm really happy with how I've done."

Jamila Barnes, who achieved four 8s, five 7s and a 6, said: "I'm shocked. I felt like I would get mostly 5s and 6s and I've got mostly 7s and 8s which is amazing. I didn't really process that I was doing real exams, I just treated them as mocks and it kept some of the pressure off.

"I revised for about four hours a day and I'm really pleased with the outcomes. Before my results I thought I wouldn't be able to do chemistry, but now I'll be able to do all of the subjects I want at sixth form thanks to my hard work."

Helena Seraphin was also relieved at seeing her results, which included an 8 in French. She added: "The last year was really stressful. I was constantly worried but seeing my results felt like a huge weight lifted off my shoulders.

"The exams were quite chilled but having that time to think does make you a bit worried - so I'm really happy to be at the end now."

Shaun Kamionowski will take up a Level 3 IT apprenticeship at the Romero Catholic Academy next year. He said: "I was really stressed at first but I was really happy with my results once I opened them.

"The exams were really difficult, revising all the time and putting a lot of hard work in. But it's only two months and it seems like it's been worth it.

"I'm doing a Level 3 IT apprenticeship next year, based at Cardinal Wiseman but covering lots of Romero schools. I looked at my options but I thought this was a good opportunity to learn on the job and get real world experience, which is much better for the way I learn."

Matthew Everett, Principal at Cardinal Wiseman Catholic School, said: "We extend our heartfelt congratulations to each student for their remarkable achievements, and we would also like to acknowledge the unwavering support of their families, teachers, and the entire school community.

"As these exceptional students move forward to their next chapter in education or career paths, we are confident that they will continue to shine and make a positive impact on society. We wish them every success in their future endeavours and look forward to witnessing their bright futures unfold.

"This cohort of students have demonstrated not only their academic prowess but also their resilience and ambition, which will undoubtedly propel them towards future success."

LINK

Cardinal Wiseman School, Coventry: https://cardinalwiseman.coventry.sch.uk/

Chertsey, Salesian School

We couldn't be prouder of our GCSE students! 44% of all grades were 9-7 (A*/A), double that of the national average (22%) and 90% were 9-4 (A*-C) in comparison to the national figure of 67.3%. 88% of students passed English and Maths at grade 4 or above and 71% passed both at grade 5 or above. Mr Bridgland and his Year 11 team deserve a special mention for all of their hard work and commitment over the last several years. Mr Bridgland, teachers and parents alike have worked tirelessly to ensure the best possible outcomes for all of our Year 11's so we'd like to thank you all on behalf of Salesian. Don Bosco himself would be delighted. For further details and message from Mr Gower see link below:

LINK

Salesian School, Chertsey: https://salesian.surrey.sch.uk/

Ilkeston, Derbyshire: Saint John Houghton School

Students at Saint John Houghton are celebrating their GCSE results.

Mr Brogan, Headteacher at Saint John Houghton, said: "We are absolutely delighted for our students who have worked so hard for these results through such challenging circumstances over the last five years.

"They are remarkable young people who have shown tremendous resilience through everything life has thrown at them.

"Congratulations to their families and to the staff at Saint John Houghton who have worked tirelessly to support them."

LINK

St John Houghton: www.stjohnhoughtonilkeston.srscmat.co.uk/our-school/

Staffordshire: Painsley Catholic College

Students at Painsley Catholic College have achieved above and beyond their potential, reflecting the outstanding quality of education that Painsley offers, as our Ofsted report (May 2022) documents. The GCSE outcomes reflect this success as the College is celebrating an excellent set of GCSE results with 90% of the Year 11 students at the non-selective academy achieving the standard pass (grade 4) in English and 84% in mathematics. Furthermore, the College is delighted with the fact that 81% achieved the standard pass and 63% the strong pass (grade 5) in both English and maths. Indeed, well over a third of all grades were at the higher 7-9 grades.

Staff at the College crafted the curriculum and assessment to tailor the students' exam preparation. Mrs Waugh, Principal, commented: "I am proud and delighted that the teaching staff worked with such commitment and professionalism to support, guide and reassure the students throughout the academic year. The outcomes of this are evident in the excellent results received by the students."

Top performances include: Keira Bennett, Samantha Dalgleish, James Davies, Sophia Ferocino, James Howard, Samuel Mcallister Jamie Potts and Gracie Turner.

The students who have made the most significant progress from KS2, averaging two or three grades higher than the expected standard, include Sebastian Best, Louis Campbell, Oliver Carrington, Alfie Clarke, Joseph Harrison, Rebecca Haynes, Jack Hodge, Madeleine Horne, Grace Sheehan, Luca Worthington-Harris. Special mention must also go to William Simpson who not only achieved fantastic GCSE results, but is also recovering from a heart transplant which he received days after completing his examinations.

Mrs Waugh continued: "I am thrilled to be able to share these phenomenal results with the students. The students have worked with drive and determination throughout the last five years, despite the obvious difficulties they have faced. Regardless of the legacy of disruption to their learning and with little contingency in place they have gone on to shine. I wish the students every success as they continue their journey and I look forward to welcoming the majority of the students into the Painsley's Outstanding Sixth Form in September (as graded by Ofsted in May 2022). I would like to pay particular thanks to the dedication and commitment of the staff at Painsley, teaching and non-teaching, who constantly provide an exceptional learning experience and willingly go the extra mile on behalf of the students. I am truly grateful to them all for their professionalism. I would like to thank our parents who have supported the students and the staff of the school throughout their time at the College; the effective partnership between home and school is instrumental to the success of the students."

LINK

Painsley Catholic College: www.painsley.co.uk/