Pupils across New Forest and Christchurch find out GCSE results, including from Arnewood, Priestlands, Highcliffe, Ringwood, Twynham, The Grange, Burgate, Noadswood and Ballard
YOUNGSTERS across the New Forest and Christchurch have started opening their GCSE results today (Thursday).
There was much to celebrate at Priestlands School in Pennington, with headteacher Peter Main calling the results “superb”.
Students did “very well” in core subjects of English, maths and science, he said, while there were also a significant number of the top grades nine to seven awarded.
Seventy-seven percent of pupils secured the standard pass (grades four to nine) in English and maths, while 58% of students gained a strong pass (grades five to nine) in the subjects.
Ninety eight students received the top grade nine while 30% of all grades were seven or higher.
Mr Main added: “This is a superb set of results and I am delighted for our students and extremely proud of them.
“They have been rewarded for their hard work and dedication and fully deserve this success. Education at Priestlands is about far more than exam results and this cohort truly reflect our motto: ‘Learn More, Do More Be More’.
“We know that the success today means our students have been given greater choice about what to do next and we wish them the very best for the future.”
Head teacher at Arnewood School in New Milton, Jamie Anderson, said he was “extremely proud” of students and staff who had “worked so hard to achieve so much”.
He said English remained the school’s highest performing core subject, despite a significant challenge from science this year.
Other subject highlights include modern foreign languages, religious studies, computer science, music, art, drama and food preparation and nutrition.
He added: “We look forward to welcoming the majority of students back in Year 12 to start the next phase of their education.
“We are proud to adapt our curriculum to enable students to access courses in school and with other providers [and] we are delighted that a number of our students will be starting apprenticeships next year, taking their next steps in becoming electricians and working in the hospitality industry.”
Excellent individual performances at the school include Jess and Becky Hoile, Joseph Benson, Matti Timms, Charley Harvey, Lucy Emms, Macy Colein, and Luke Freeman.
Sammy Reeve, Belle Nash, Eva Thorne, Matas Markaitis and Sammy Hotea were also noted as making “huge strides” during their time at Arnewood.
Results at Ballard School in New Milton saw a 95% pass rate (grades nine to four) across all pupils and all subjects – an increase of 2% – and 34% attained top grades nine to seven, matching last year’s record high.
Additionally, Ballard achieved a 100% pass rate in several subjects, including English literature, higher mathematics, and all three sciences.
On average, each pupil achieved 0.78 of a grade higher than expected in every subject, matching last year’s remarkable value-added score, with nearly a third of pupils gaining, on average, at least a whole grade higher per subject.
Head teacher Andrew McCleave said: "I am extremely proud of this cohort, who have, once again, achieved some outstanding results. We were so impressed with the way they approached their GCSEs, and these excellent results are the culmination of years of hard work, resilience, and determination.
“As well as saying a huge well done to all the pupils, we must thank our teaching staff, who go above and beyond, stretching and supporting our pupils learning in every lesson, as well as offering revision sessions after school, and during holidays and weekends.
“We must also thank our support staff who help to make Ballard such a wonderful, inspirational and nurturing community in which our young people thrive.”
Highcliffe School head teacher Patrick Earnshaw said he was “delighted” with pupils’ results, with core subjects maths, English and science “well above” the national pass rate at grades nine to four.
He added: “Congratulations to Emily Lakin, achieving seven grade nines and two grade eights, and to Lucy Ashton and Erin Roberts who each achieved six grade nines and three grade eights.
“They were among a group of nine very high achieving students who between them gained 75 of the top grades, and with 71 of our students also achieving at least one of those top eight or nine grades there were plenty of tears of joy this morning!”
New Forest Academy in Holbury saw its best outcomes since the pandemic, including a record number of high grades.
Principal Rob Forder said: “I am very proud of these exam results, which represent the academy’s best outcomes since the pandemic by far, including a record number of high grades.
“This cohort has been absolutely wonderful to work with and I am so pleased that their efforts have been recognised both collectively and individually. These young people have set a high bar for our current and future academy students!
“As well as congratulating them, I would like to thank their parents and our staff who have done everything possible to help our students to achieve their successful next steps.”
Students who performed particularly well include Sophie Brown, who achieved four grade nines and six grade eights; Max Briant, who achieved three grade nines, a distinction, five grade eights and a grade seven; Anna Armitage, who achieved five grade nines, three grade eights, and a grade seven; Dylan Speakman who achieved two grade nines, four grade eights and four grade sevens; Molly McRedmond, who achieved three grade nines, a grade eight and two grade sevens and James Hampton, who achieved a distinction, two grade eights and five grade sevens.
With national data going back to the tougher standard of 2019, Twynham School said it had exceeded the levels achieved then, with 79% of students achieving a good pass (grade four and above) in both English and maths, while 57% had a strong pass (grade five and above) in the subjects.
Associate head teacher Kate Ball said: “We are incredibly proud of our students’ achievements this year. These results are a reflection of their hard work, resilience, and the unwavering support of our dedicated staff and the wider school community.
“It’s especially rewarding to see so many students surpass their personal targets and excel in their exams and we are looking at welcoming a record number into our sixth form in September.”
She said several students had demonstrated “exceptional individual performances”, not just in achieving high grades but for overcoming personal challenges.
This includes Harvey Howard-Tomes, Oscar Brockway, Loui Gray, Samuel Green, Ruby Moroney, Georgia Andrews, Harry Bader, Beth Baldwin, Hayden Brown, Harry Burge, Noah Chapple, Zara Cheshire, Ella Cristofoli, Sukie Crowter, Tom Dewey, Isabel Dickeson, Blake Farnum, Lilly Javanmardi, Lois Overall, Will Phillips and Robyn Ward.
Pupils at the Burgate School and Sixth Form performed “especially well right across the ability range”, with a pass rate of 85% at grade four or higher.
The number of students achieving a pass grade in both English and maths was “particularly high” at 84%, the school said, with an “exceptional” 94% of students passing their English exam.
Sixty percent of students achieved a strong pass (grade five or above) in both English and maths and 16% achieved a top grade, equivalent to an A grade or higher, in both subjects.
The school said it was “extremely satisfying” that 65% of grades were strong passes (grades five to nine), which demonstrated “a tremendous effort on the part of our students, parents and staff”.
Head teacher David Pover added: “A school gets judged in many ways and we are all delighted with these fantastic GCSE results which are, of course, a key benchmark. However, I believe it’s more important how the young people achieved them, which this cohort did with enjoyment and a real sense of positivity.”
Hannah Janes, who achieved seven grade nines and an A*, said: “I’m particularly proud of my results in geography, Spanish and the HPQ. It feels strange that it’s all done but I’m really pleased that the hard work has paid off.”
Bunty Woodley, who achieved four nines and four eights, commented: “I’m pleasantly surprised and particularly proud of my history grade because it was such a hard subject. A big thank you to Miss Stephens for all her support.”
Ringwood School’s class of 2024 were celebrating their “best ever” results in what looks to be a record-breaking year for the school.
Head teacher Leanne Symonds said the students had faced the challenge of knowing nationally, GCSE results had returned to pre-Covid levels, despite the fact that the pandemic had cast a “long shadow” over young people’s learning and wellbeing.
She added: “This year group were in Year 7 when the first lockdown was announced in 2020. However, due to their hard work and determination, today is a day of celebration for them and confirmation that they can put their post-16 plans into action.”
Progress measures at GCSE look like “the strongest the school has ever seen”, with students all achieving higher than expected by a quarter of a grade in each subject.
Performance at the top was strong with 28% of all Ringwood GCSEs awarded at grades seven to nine. The top five students – two boys and three girls – between them attained 33 grade nines, eight grade eights and two grade sevens, in addition to one A and a B in advanced subsidiary additional maths and Level 2 distinction in engineering.
She added: “One key measurement for schools is the ‘basics’ measure. This measure shows how many students get a five+ or a grade four+ in both English and maths. This year we have also seen the highest ‘basics’ results since this accountability measure began.
“We are delighted that 58% of our students achieved a five or above in both English and maths, 3% higher than last year and 10% up on pre-pandemic 2019 results, and 83% achieved grade four and above in both key subjects, 6% higher than last year and 9% up on pre-pandemic 2019 results.
“It has been delightful to share in this success with students today, who were excited to get their results and thank their teachers for all of the help and support in preparing them for their GCSEs and vocational qualifications. We are pleased for all of our students and proud of them for how they have managed formal examinations after a number of years of disruption.”
Independent day and boarding school, Moyles Court in Ringwood, celebrated “another outstanding set of results”, which were said to be “above the national average”.
Headmaster Richard Milner-Smith said: “Today we are celebrating the achievements of every single one of our pupils – they have all been amazing”
“Exam results will always only tell a fraction of the story and behind every set of results is a young person who has their own story to tell. Let us also not forget that a good education is not just about examination results.
“Our pupils have grown and developed as individuals during their time with us, developing skills and attributes that will set them apart for a very positive future”.
He added: “Our teaching staff have been outstanding in their commitment to the children and ensuring that they not only fulfil their potential but are carefully supported during the process.”
There were “strong” GCSE and BTEC outcomes at Noadswood School in Dibden. Head teacher Kathryn Marshall said: “We love results day every year, though it's always emotional! The end of the story for a fantastic year group today, who've had an incredible sense of team, they have been great to work with and laugh with and they've done themselves proud with this set of results.
“We can't wait to hear about their adventures ahead.”
Students at The Grange School in Christchurch performed “exceptionally”, achieving its best ever set of results.
Head teacher Deborah Hawkins said: “I am so proud of our students who thoroughly deserve the results they are receiving today. TGS continues to go from strength to strength and today’s results are testament to that. I am delighted that our community has a school of which it can be proud.”
Support for youngsters is being offered across Hampshire and BCP councils. The county council’s helpline, staffed by career advisors, will be available between 9am and 3pm. Students can call 03707 796 122 for advice on their next steps.
Pupils in the BCP area can visit Home - UP in BCP for advice or call 07880 480602.
Cllr Steve Forster, HCC’s cabinet member for education, said: “For many of our young people, receiving results is a time for celebration as they have achieved the grades needed to move into their chosen next stage of education or training.
“Whatever their personal results, I am proud of our Year 11 students’ hard work and dedication and grateful to the army of parents, carers, teachers, and tutors that have supported each pupil.
“However, even if results are not as expected, there’s help at hand from our expert advisors who are ready to assist students plan and find alternative routes to their chosen goals, or even explore new goals.”
BCP Council’s cabinet member for children, young people, education and skills, Cllr Richard Burton, added: "Whether pupils are staying at school or moving on to college, training, or to an apprenticeship this is a really exciting and important time.
"This is the day that the 11 years of hard work by our students, schools and teachers pays off and all involved should celebrate.”
