Elizabeth College students achieve 99.5% pass rate

College teaching staff applied a rigorous process in assessing students’ grades, using a range of previous evidence and their professional judgment to ensure that the centre assessed grades were fair and consistent in the absence of exams this summer.

Some 99.5% results were graded at 9 to 4 (equivalent to the old A* to C) and 58% were graded 9 to 7 (A* to A equivalent).

At the top end, 27 of Year 11 students (37% of the year) gained 9 or more passes at grades 9 to 7 (A*/A equivalent) and two students achieved a clean sweep of 10 passes at grade 9.

Principal Jenny Palmer said students had demonstrated impressive resilience and courage in facing the unusual challenges of the exams process this year.

‘These results reflect the hard work and commitment that our Year 11 students have invested over the years and the support they have received from our dedicated staff.

‘GCSE awards are always enablers, opening the door to the next part of their journey be that A-levels, sporting scholarships, apprenticeships or other vocational training.’

She looked forward to welcoming those students who are returning to the sixth form and wished those moving on elsewhere the very best in their future education and careers.

Staying on for sixth form was 16-year-old James Vermeulen.

‘This year has been very different, but I worked hard for my mocks and that paid off in the end,’ he said.

‘I’ve worked hard throughout the year before lockdown, so I’m pleased with my teachers’ grades in the end.’

Also happy was Huw Nippers who said the hard work he did for his mocks meant he still had that exam experience this year.

‘I’m happy with the grades I got, I personally feel like I have done all the work leading up to lockdown and that’s what mattered in the end, and the teachers have recognised that.’