This morning it was the turn of GCSE students to receive their exam results and, if we ever needed a reminder of the grace and dignity with which they have approached the past few months, then they provided it today. It is hard to imagine how strange it must have felt to be opening those envelopes knowing that they hadn’t sat the actual exams the grades but they seemed to take it in their stride with the good humour and resilience they have shown all year.
Now is not the time for comment on the wider situation relating to the awarding of grades this year. Instead, we are determined to celebrate the achievements of this incredible bunch of young people who have battled away, not just with the impact of Covid, but the demands of very challenging GCSE courses over the past two years. They could not deserve these excellent results any more and it could not have come to a more decent group of young people.
In line with tradition, therefore, we mention those who have performed at the very top level and offer our sincerest congratulations:
Jasmine Lee somehow managed to get a scarcely believable ten grade 9s, very closely followed by Holly Cottle and Matthew Stow with nine of the top grades and Olivia Lawton and Jessica Salmon with eight grade 9s.
Ciara Bennett, Hal Bircham, Gemma Jackson, Sacha Jones, Oliver Pyman and Scarlett Wright all picked up seven grade 9s and the following all picked up six of them: Andra Barcan, Katherine Bushnell, Alice Edgar, Liv Galloway-Pollard, Isabella Hogan, Maddie Parkhouse, Lily Parsons and Katie Wright.
There are a few individuals named above, but there are countless other success stories right across the year group and we are extraordinarily proud of all of them. We cannot wait to see the majority back for the sixth form in a couple of weeks and send all our best wishes to those who are moving on to new challenges elsewhere.
Once again, we tip our hats to the Class of 2020; it’s been an absolute pleasure.
Gwyn Williams
20th August 2020
