Grammar School GCSE results show a big drop

Results at A* to C including English and maths have been published locally dating back to 2010, with the school never falling below 95.9% in this time.

Exams, including the grading system, have changed over the last decade, but this year the school recorded a 88.6% pass rate using that standard.

‘It is important for us now to analyse and reflect upon our internal processes to identify which of a number of possible factors have led to these lower than anticipated outcomes,’ said head teacher Kieran James.

95.5% of the 88 Grammar students collecting their results yesterday morning achieved five or more GCSEs at A*-C, or 9-4 under the new system.

But the results including English and maths compare to 97.6% last year and 98.9% in 2017.

Mr James added: ‘This year’s results include stories of exceptional accomplishment and attainment, which are a testament to our students’ and teachers’ hard work in preparing for these new GCSEs.

‘I am delighted that every one of our students is able to continue into post-16 education and look forward to welcoming many of them, along with their peers from across the Bailiwick, into our sixth form in September.’

The Bailiwick average including English and maths was 63.9%, down from 68.4% in 2018 and 65.6% in 2017.

Education Sport & Culture wants to move to a new measure of measuring success in line with England, and so will introduce ‘some of the new English performance measures’ including Attainment 8, which will be released in a few days’ time.

They will only fully be in place by 2023.

‘Qualifications have previously been selected at individual school level with some opting for the new more rigorous qualifications to ensure the best possible preparation for further study,’ a spokesman said.

‘Currently, the proportion of new qualifications varies between schools, with some changes since last year. This means it is not possible to make direct comparisons between Guernsey and England, between schools’ results or over time, because the qualifications counting towards the measures are not equivalent.’

The schools which are merging to form Lisia School are aligning specifications, he said.

ESC vice-president Deputy Richard Graham said: ‘Amongst the many success stories it is clear that there are areas in which results are disappointing, and that there is room for improvement in our system. We must retain the highest possible aspirations for the young people of the Bailiwick.’

Comment piece: What does GCSE success look like?