LIVE: GCSE Results Day in Salisbury

Today, 25th August 2022, is GCSE results day.

Students across the city will receive their long and nervously-awaited exam results today, which were released at 8am this morning. Here's the latest from Salisbury's secondary schools.

Wiltshire Council has praised GCSE students for their determination and hard work as they collect their GCSE results.

Students are receiving exam-assessed grades for the first time since 2019 after COVID restrictions led to the introduction of teacher-assessed grades.

GCSEs are currently ranked on a 9-1 scale, where 9 is the top grade and grade 4 is a standard pass, roughly in line with the former Grade C.

Cllr Laura Mayes, Cabinet Member for Education and Skills said, “Congratulations to all students finding out their GCSE results today.

“Also thanks to those who have provided support to students, teachers, school staff parents and carers who have helped students through the challenges of the last few years.  

“If you have obtained the grades you wanted good luck with your next steps. For those students who don’t have the grades they were expecting you have support around you to decide the best options. Good luck to everyone.”

Students that do not receive the grades they anticipated should initially speak to their school or college which can offer help and advice about options available to them including the appeals process.

There is also a dedicated results page on the Work Wiltshire website full of advice and what to do next. The site also has a range of information including apprenticeship advice for those wanting to consider this route.

The Building Bridges programme can also help those who did not get the results they wanted. The free programme offers 1:1 support from a friendly development worker to help students decide on the next steps in getting employment, education, or training.

The programme offers careers advice sessions with Adviza for more vulnerable young people (aged 16-18) that provide extra support from a qualified Careers Adviser. This is available until the end of August and offers face to face, online and telephone sessions. Advisors will encourage and assist these students into what they want to do next either in education, employment, or training. People can contact joanne.hine@wiltshire.gov.uk to find out more.

The National Careers Service will be answering calls on their helpline between 8am and 8pm from Thursday 18th August to Friday 2nd September. Call them on 0800 100 900 for support following results day.

After two years of disruption, Leehurst Swan School say they are very proud of their Year 11 leavers, who are celebrating outstanding GCSE results with a 100% pass rate this year.

All Year 11 pupils achieved five plus GCSE passes in English, mathematics and science with some exceptional individual performances by Jake, Alex W and Lottie.

A spokesperson for Leehurst Swan school said, "All pupils finish their Leehurst Swan education with excellent qualifications, and more importantly, the skills and personal qualities that enable them to move onto their 6th form."

Headteacher Mandy Bateman added, "All pupils in Year 11 should be congratulated on their achievements this year. They have been rewarded an excellent set of results at the end of a tough time where they had to deal with extended periods of Covid-19 restrictions and online learning.

"The children’s hard work and commitment to their studies and the dedication of their teachers have been rewarded today and we are very proud of all they have achieved. We wish them every success as they now progress to the next stage of their post-16 education and beyond."

Michele Chilcott, headteacher at South Wilts Grammar School told Love Salisbury, "Despite the disruption to education that this cohort has experienced, these are the strongest set of GCSE results for South Wilts Grammar School since the awarding of numerical grades at GCSE. The numbers of grades awarded 8-9 has increased to 58.2% and those awarded grades 7 to 9 has increased 78.5%. 30% of all grades awarded were at grade 9.

"70 students gained all grades 7 to 9 in their subjects, with 28 students awarded grades 8 to 9 across all their subjects.

"We are exceptionally proud of what all our students have attained, against a backdrop of uncertainty. Credit needs to be given to their hard work, positivity, and resilience in what has not been an easy two years."

Following GCSE results morning, the Headteacher of Bishops Wordsworth's School, Dr Smallwood said, "Chapter two of this year’s exam outcomes has duly arrived, accompanied by the warnings from the exam authorities to expect reductions in the grades achieved due to the post-pandemic readjustments that will be underway for the next couple of years.

"In fact, the headline figure for BWS of 76% Grades 9-7 is almost identical to the figure that was distilled in 2021 by the teacher assessment process, so I am very pleased and frankly a little relieved! An unprecedented context created more uncertainty for everyone, but thanks to a clear and level-headed approach by teachers, technology to repair the cracks and great dollops of hard work our boys have come through with flying colours.

"We should in no way take this for granted. At 159 our Year 11 was by some way our biggest yet, as the demographic expansion of the school was completed this year. Add to that the cumulative effects of lockdowns/remote learning and occasional waves of infection and it is evident that this year's group has performed really well.

"Their excellent grades should enable them to look forward with confidence to their next challenges – either within the sixth form at BWS or at one of the other excellent local post-16 providers. I wish them all luck, and would like to say a heartfelt thanks to all of my colleagues who have done a superb job in supporting our boys once again."

At Godolphin school, 43% of GCSE and IGCSE levels awarded grade 8 or 9 and 100% grade 4 or above.

In the face of a nationwide trend of falling top grades, Godolphin says their students have earned higher percentages of top grades than ever before.

Particularly high achievement grades or progress from prior attainment was seen from a large proportion of the year group, including extremely high results from Chelsea Cheng, Eliza Cole, Vivian Gao, Jessica Giddins, Tiana Nhamoinesu, Alice White and Sherry Zhang.

Outstanding progress was seen from Indianna Gomarsall, Alicia McBain, Agatha Robb, Josie Taylor, Tatiana Tissot, Grace Wilby and Tess Williamson-Jones.

Godolphin Head Emma Hattersley said, “Overall the cohort have exceeded expectations by nearly one and a half grades; they have truly excelled. Impressive results have been seen throughout the curriculum, ranging from the Creative Arts, through English, Humanities, Classics, Maths, Sciences and
on to Engineering disciplines.

"Godolphin students have an excellent base from which to move to their next step in education, not only in terms of qualifications, but also in terms of their transferrable skills such as resilience, determination, communication, and teamwork.

"We are delighted by our GCSE results this year. They are a testament to our extremely hardworking students who really deserve this success after the challenges of the last couple of years. It should also be acknowledged that achieving such excellent results and value-added scores only happens with the
support of passionate and dedicated staff. A terrific way to end the summer holidays and kick off the new academic year.”

The Burgate School in Fordingbridge says Year 11 students have proven their dedication to their studies in the face of much educational disruption to achieve particularly pleasing GCSE results.

Grades 7-9 were a significant improvement on the last time exams were sat in 2019 and in line with Teacher Assessed Grades from last year. With 8% of the students' grades reaching Grade 9, the school has set a new school record.

Headteacher David Pover said, “Burgate students have achieved a fantastic set of results. They demonstrate the determination and resilience of our students to do their very best despite the turmoil they have faced. I am especially pleased that the number of top grades has actually increased compared to our previous best and the teacher-assessed grades of the last two years. This was a great year group with a positive attitude who never gave up in the face of adversity.

"I’m sure all the staff would agree with me that they were an absolute pleasure to teach and they deserve huge praise for what they have achieved. I should like to thank all of the staff for the unstinting support and guidance they have given to our students through the challenging circumstances they faced.” 

The vast majority of our students will now go on to study at our Outstanding Sixth Form where they will be joined by Year 11 students from other local schools.  We congratulate all of our current and new students on their tremendous achievements, which are a testament to the hard work and dedication they have shown throughout the last few years.   

Student, Bowe Wills said, “I am overwhelmed by my grades, to have gained a 9 in my maths and further maths is just amazing. The teachers have all been so supportive of me throughout my time and I am really looking forward to sixth form.” 

Luke Grant added, “I am so happy, and I want to thank all the staff who have encouraged us all and supported us the whole way.” 

Ben Meekings commented, “I am proud of my results as I worked hard for them. The support of the staff at Burgate has been phenomenal. I am definitely staying for sixth form.” 

Ruby Bennett said, “I am just overwhelmed and really happy when I saw my results The staff were always so supportive, and I felt that they invested in me as an individual at every step.” 

And Ella Forshaw added, "Thank you to everyone for constantly encouraging and stretching me. I have had every opportunity here.”