Blanchelande results improve for the second year running
GCSE results at Blanchelande College have improved for the second year running with 97% of students achieving five or more 9-4 (or A*-C) grades including English and maths.
That figure is a 10% rise on last year, and the proportion of grades at the highest levels also increased, 42% of grades were 9-7 (A* or A).
The cohort of 32 is the last all girls group at Blanchelande and virtually all are going on to the Grammar School sixth form or Ladies’ College.
Aimee Stormonth was in tears after she opened her envelope, but luckily they were happy tears because she received stellar results.
The 16-year-old had learnt an important life lesson, which is that hard work gets results, but it is important to have balance.
‘I went surfing all through the half-term, and I actually did my surf instructor training halfway through the exams. It really helped.’
Isabelle Yeoman was also overjoyed and in disbelief at her results and will be starting at the Grammar School sixth form next month.
‘I didn’t think I’d do this well, I thought I would do well in English, but I didn’t expect to get a 7 in maths, so I’m really happy. I couldn’t have put in any more effort.
‘I was studying 10 hours a day.’
Also off to the Grammar School is Abigail Nash, who said her hard work had paid off.
‘I love it here, it is sad to leave because everyone is so nice and friendly and the teachers push us to be our best. Mr O’Brien is really nice, he taught us RE [religious education] for a bit and it was really inspiring and it made me love RE.’
Principal Robert O’Brien was delighted with the results, and paid tribute to the students and the staff.
‘This group of students has been extremely self-motivated and diligent and the teachers here continue to be very dedicated and provide them with specialist one-to-one support.’
In the UK, some head teachers have complained that the new GCSEs are too difficult and demanding of young people, but Mr O’Brien said it injected rigour and a further challenge to those aiming for the top grades.
‘I personally welcome a more rigorous test, the more thorough the test the greater the sense of achievement, as so many of our students are right now experiencing, and the better you are prepared for the challenges ahead in an international market.’
One of the students gave Mr O’Brien a bottle of wine to say thank-you, and, as a treat to himself, he was planning a single glass over the next couple of weeks.
