Students jump for joy as GCSE results come in

Thursday 12 August 2021

Jersey schools are celebrating excellent pass rates today, with 86% of GCSEs graded at 4-9 (C and above), and 36.0% at the highest grades: 7-9 (A/A*).

Teachers have reacted with pride at their students' achievements, with praise coming in for students’ “tenacity,” “capability” and “resilience” despite the challenges of the past year.

At Beaulieu, students enjoyed a 100% pass rate.

Andrea Firby, Head of School at Beaulieu, said: "I am delighted that we have seen such strong results for our GCSE students, despite the continued challenges of Covid-19.

"These results continue to build upon the School's excellent academic reputation and I am very grateful to our conscientious and dedicated team of staff and so proud of our students!"

Pictured: Beaulieu celebrated a 100% pass rate.

Mrs Firby added: "Today's GCSE results follow the success we enjoyed earlier this week with our A Levels and we are delighted to see such a high percentage of top grades achieved across a range of subjects, with nearly a third of Beaulieu students achieving the highest grades of 8 or 9.

"It is also encouraging that so many of our Year 11 students have chosen to stay at Beaulieu to continue their studies at Sixth Form, many opting for the STEM subjects or our popular new A Level - Criminology."

Meanwhile, at Hautlieu, Headmaster Nick Falle celebrated the fact that over 96% of students achieved the key benchmark of 5 GCSEs.

"Teaching is a wonderful profession as you have the opportunity to be inspired by the energy and ambition of the young people we work with; that is exactly what the Hautlieu GCSE class of 2021 have proved once again," Mr Falle said.

"With characteristic resilience and good humour this cohort have produced record breaking GCSE results when a great deal of their course has been interrupted or reshaped in a way none of us could have imagined 18 months ago.

"With the support of caring teachers and parents, these students are a credit to their families and the Jersey community.

"Over 96% of students achieved the key benchmark of 5 GCSEs at grade 4 or above including English and mathematics, with an unprecedented number of grades at 9-7 (A*-A).

"One of Hautlieu's most important aims is for our students to believe in their capability to build a better world and we have no doubt that this special group of Hautlians are well on their way to doing exactly that."

Pictured: Victoria College Headteacher Alun Watkins said he looked forward to seeing students' growth and development.

Victoria College had reason to celebrate too, with a total of 53.86% receiving grades between 7-9.

Headmaster Alun Watkins said: "Today we celebrate with our talented group of GCSE students some excellent grades.

"With a third of all results at the highest level, grades 8 and 9, which is equivalent to the old A*, and over 50% of all grades at levels 7-9, our boys have maintained the high-quality results of their predecessors.

"All of this has been achieved in the most trying of circumstances. Since they began their GCSE journey two years ago, this group of students have faced a series of unbelievable challenges and these tremendous results are a deserved reward for their hard work, resilience and tenacity.

"They have been nurtured throughout by our dedicated and caring staff and their families who have shown great positivity and support, when it has been needed.

He added: "With many of this cohort now moving on to the Sixth Form, we look forward to their continued growth and development, and further success in the future. We are immensely proud of all of their achievements."

Pictured: 80% of JCG results were in the range of Grades 9 - 7.

At JCG, students were jumping for joy at their results, as they saw 80% of all grades in the highest range of Grades 9 – 7, with over one third of all grades being awarded Grade 9.

Headteacher Carl Howarth said: "Our students have absolutely excelled themselves not only academically but as remarkable and resilient young people.

"Their incredible tenacity through this turbulent year combined with our continuous and unfaltering belief in them has proven to be a potent recipe for their success."

He added: "80% of all grades were at the highest range of Grades 9 – 7, with over one third of all grades being awarded Grade 9. The average set of grades was 5x Grade 8 and 5x Grade 7.

"We are so proud of each of our students, staff and parents and the incredible partnership shown throughout this period."

Pictured: A breakdown of this year's grades.

Grainville too showed great pride in its students' results with Headteacher Susan Morris saying: "I am immensely proud of all of our students in the class of 2021 for their academic success and achievement in their GCSE examinations this year.

"This success, despite almost two years of the Covid pandemic, reflects the hard work and dedication of our students and staff alike. I also thank parents for their support throughout their child’s time here.

"We have seen our students grow from children when they arrived in Year 7, to the fine young adults we see now.  The class of 2021 has helped to shape the development of Grainville School and its community. 

"I would like to thank our students for their positive attitudes and can-do work ethic over the last five years and wish them all every success post 16 and the pathways they will now travel."

Pictured: A breakdown of this year's iGCSE results.

Alan Adkin, Headteacher of Le Rocquier School, thanked both staff and students for their dedication: "Le Rocquier students have shined brightly this academic year. They have produced an outstanding set of results despite 2 years of disruption from the pandemic.

"Each student should be proud of how they persevered and showed tremendous resilience not only towards their exams, but also in the ups and downs of teenage life in a world of uncertainty.

"These students have shown all the attributes our school aims to instil in young people who are now set to make their mark on the world.

"On behalf of the students, I would like to thank our colleagues in Le Rocquier School for their tireless work, dedication to our students and adaptability to work through a completely new GCSE assessment process.

"It's been a challenging year for everyone, but today is an occasion for celebration. Good luck to all our students on their next adventure."

Minister for Children and Education, Deputy Scott Wickenden, said: “I’d like to congratulate all the students who are receiving their results today. Jersey should be proud of the remarkable results achieved today by our students.

“COVID-19 has caused disruption across the last two years of their GCSE studies, and it’s a testament to their hard work and determination that they’ve continued to perform so well.

"I’d like to wish them all the best of luck in their next steps and remind them that if they’re unsure what they’d like to do next, they should approach their teachers, careers advisors and parents for help and support.” 

Express will include results from Haute Vallée, Les Quennevais and De La Salle as they receive them.