Hard-working GCSE students celebrate results


This year's GCSE students displayed great strength of character and resilience as they missed out on so many rites of passage, not least the chance to prove themselves in public examinations. But now, at last, all their hard work over the past two years and more has been recognised, and it's worthy of celebration

HARD-WORKING Ripon Grammar School students are celebrating outstanding achievements at GCSE, providing a strong platform for future academic success.

An impressive 97.6 per cent of grades awarded to the 131-strong year group were 9-5s (the equivalent of A*-Bs) with 67.7 per cent of all grades achieved being 9-7(A*-A)s.

Headmaster Jonathan Webb said that, despite the unprecedented circumstances, this year’s students, who received their results by email, have done superbly well: “Without the opportunity of an examination, our departments worked hard to award grades which we believe were fair, valid and as accurate as possible in the situation.

“Consequently, I am extremely encouraged by our results today and am really looking forward to welcoming our new sixth formers back to school in September."

Among a number of exceptional performances amid an excellent set of overall results, which saw a quarter of students achieve the top grade 9, were eight students who achieved ten grade 9s or more.

Top performer Lucy Cox, from Ripon, was awarded an impressive 11 grade 9s and an 8, while Sophie Pointon (pictured above), from Thirsk, Eleanor Chaplin (pictured top), from Boroughbridge, and Eloise Hopkins (pictured below), from Ripon, all received 11 grade 9s.

Chloe Stringwell, from Ripon, and Bertie Wood (pictured below), from Brafferton, were both awarded ten grade 9s and two grade 8s while Molly Acton, (pictured bottom) from Skelton-on-Ure, received ten grade 9s and one grade 8.

Students were awarded a total of 618 9/8s (A*) grades, making up more than 46 per cent of all grades, with more than 79 per cent of students achieving grades 9-7 in maths and more than 57 per cent 9-7s in English.