Portishead’s Gordano School has performed ‘strongly’ in GCSEs in the face of a ‘turbulent’ exams landscape, according to its headteacher.
Tom Inman is ‘pleased and proud’ of his students after some departments enjoyed a record-breaking results day today (Thursday).
Almost four out of five papers received a minimum of grade 4, with 26 per cent achieving coveted grades of 9-7.
And 69 per cent of pupils achieved five 9-4 grades including English and maths, deemed the gold standard required to tackle A-levels – with many pupils returning next month to start their next batch of qualifications.
Mr Inman said: “I’m really pleased; so many students have done so well. It is a notoriously turbulent time in GCSE exams at the moment and the exams context nationally, so we’re delighted the students have done so well.
“They’ve performed really strongly across all subjects. Not only have we got a really significant crop of the new grade 9s, we’ve got students who have come in at levels which wouldn’t expect those top grades have done really well for themselves.
“We take as much pride in that as the students who have done really well.
“There’s a strong sigh of relief to have another set of strong results; we’ve got record results in some parts of the school despite the new exams regime.”
Ben Holmes was one of the school’s top performers, achieving top marks in most subjects.
He said: “I’m absolutely over the moon, I got grade 9s in everything except maths and physics, which I got 8s in. I just can’t believe it.
“When I opened my envelope, I hadn’t dreamt of getting one 9, let alone seven of them so I’m absolutely spellbound.
“Last night, there was a mixture of nerves and excitement. I was excited to see what grades I got, but obviously there were nerves because they are important exams.
“I’m shocked and so pleased.”
Verity Gardner was also among the highest-achieving pupils, receiving five grade 9s.
She said: “I was a bit jet-lagged last night so I slept quite well, but coming in this morning was nerve-racking.
“When I finally opened the envelope it was a mixture of happiness and relief.”
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