GCSE results day: Excellent achievements at Radclyffe and Newman

Date published: 23 August 2018

There was much anticipation and then great excitement in the air as students and staff celebrated excellent results at The Radclyffe School.

Simple comparison of 2018 results with previous years are not possible due to the more challenging curriculum and the new grading system of 9 to 1 introduced in English and Mathematics last year and in most other subjects this year.

The headline data included:

75% of students achieving grades 4+ in GCSE English (52% achieving 5+ grades)

70% of students achieving grade 4+ in GCSE Maths (49% achieving 5+ grades)

63% of students achieved grades 4+ in both English and Maths (39% achieving 5+ grades in both)

There were some exceptional individual performances with Sanaa Rahim topping the list with nine 7-9 grades (three at grade 9, four at grade 8, a grade 7 and an A*).

Safaa Zia also achieved nine 7-9 grades (two at grade 9, five at grade 8, an A* and one A grade).

Nusrat Islam was another high achiever with nine 7-9 grades (two at grade 9, 3 at grade 8, three at grade 7 and an A grade).

Headteacher Hardial Hayer said: “Our students have achieved some exceptional results even with the new reformed and more challenging GCSEs introduced in English and Maths last year and in most other subjects this year.

"Their achievements show that anything is possible at The Radclyffe School.

"Each year our students exceed all expectations and deliver excellent results. I am absolutely delighted that our fantastic students have achieved these wonderful results.

"Our journey to beyond outstanding continues. I commend the students, staff and parents for these amazing results and wish our students the very best for the future."

Meanwhile, pupils are also celebrating at Newman RC College thanks to another impressive set of GCSE results.

Against a background of good performance in recent years, and despite the uncertainty of new specifications and grading systems, the school has once again seen further significant improvements in both attainment and progress.

Year 11 pupils at Newman College have performed extremely well and must be proud of their achievements.

A number of pupils have achieved the new top grade of ‘9’ in many subjects.

Outgoing headteacher Mike McGhee said: “Newman College remains synonymous with good teaching and high standards of achievement, so there is no surprise for us in good results year after year.

"This is testament to the hard work and talent of students and staff who deserve immense credit for their achievements.”

Sophie and Joyce Tse (pictured above) are celebrating their outstanding results.

Voted ‘Most Hard-working Student’ at the Year 11 Prom, Joyce Tse is gifted in many areas and will be studying Biology, Maths and Psychology at ‘A’ level. 

From there she hopes to go on to university to study Criminology or Biology. Sophie Tse’s long-term plans include attending university and then pursuing a career in the scientific field, either forensic science or becoming a research scientist.

She too will be studying Biology, Maths and Psychology

This year has seen the second set of changes to GCSE curriculum and assessment. 

In addition to the changes in 2017 for English and Maths when they were made more challenging, similar changes in 2018 will affect 20 more subjects, and the remainder from 2019.

These subjects are all graded on a new scale of 9 to 1, with 9 the highest grade, rather than A* to G.

Simple comparison of 2018 GCSE results with previous years’ results is not possible.  

These changes also affect the government Basics, Attainment 8, Progress 8 and Ebacc measures.  

Progress comparison will be possible later this year when national level data is released.

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