Following a record-breaking set of A Level results last week at The Portsmouth Grammar School, GCSE celebrations are underway as, yet again, the most awarded grade at the school was a 9, followed by a grade 8.
“I would like to congratulate the pupils, parents and staff here for what they have achieved. We have had more grades 9 – 7 awarded to our pupils this year than we did last year,” said Mr David Wickes, Head of The Portsmouth Grammar School. “Given how much the students enjoy contributing to the wider life of the school through shows, concerts and sport, it is pleasing to see them achieve academic results which are as strong as their performances in other areas.”
As with the excellent A Level grades last week, when 87% of grades awarded were A* - B, the science subjects have achieved strong GCSE results. Maths and the Sciences (Chemistry, Biology and Physics) all saw increases on last year’s results with well over half the grades awarded being 9 or 8, despite the national pass rate for Maths this year falling. In another improvement from last year, a third of the grades awarded in Computer Science were a 9.
“I am really pleased with my results,” said Tuna. “It is definitely a relief to finally get them and I’m looking forward to Sixth Form here now.” Tuna achieved a full set of grade 9’s in his GCSEs and an A in PSMQ Maths, he will now go on to study A Levels in Maths, Further Maths, Computer Science and Physics.
Hattie B followed in the footsteps of her older brother Alex, both achieving amazing results in their GCSEs and A Levels, respectively. Alex is now going on to study at Harvard. “I was very nervous, now I am so relieved. Alex is already in America with Mum; I have just sent her a picture of my results.” Hattie laughed as she said, “I am very happy actually because I have GCSE grades very similar to Alex but just a tiny bit better.” Hattie will now go on to Biology, Chemistry and Maths at A Level.
It was not just the scientists that saw excellent performances across the cohort. Historians performed strongly this year too with 35% of the grades awarded being a 9, and over 75% being 9 – 7.
Alexis was today celebrating a great set of results which included a grade 9 in History, which she will now be going on to study at A Level along with Politics and French. “It’s a big relief,” exclaimed Alexis.
With so many of the Year 11 pupils being cast members of the hugely successful school show, ‘A Midsummer Nigh’s Dream Rocks’, at the New Theatre Royal, it is no surprise PGS musicians really hit the high notes with 85% of the grade awarded being a 9 – 7 along with 77% of the grades awarded in Drama.
Rosie L, who was one of Oberon’s Fairies in the show, as well as a competitor at a national athletics level, was ecstatic with her GCSE results “I am very pleased! I got an 8 in Spanish which is the shock of the century.” When asked if she was nervous this morning Rosie stated, “No not really” but her sister Millie interjected “Yes you were.” Millie received her A Level results last week and was Captain of PGS Athletics as well as a key member of the Rosslyn Park Girls’ Sevens team. Both sisters were very proud of their own and each other's achievements.
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Alys J and Jemima G were jubilant as they read their results. “I am really pleased with my results, I will be back to PGS in September to study Maths, Economics and Geography.” said Alys, who received seven grade 9s today, including in Music, along with two grade 8s and a 7.
“I am so relieved. It is a big weight off my shoulders. I wasn’t nervous really, I knew I had done everything I could do and there was nothing I could do to change them.” said Jemima who also achieved seven grade 9s and three grade 8 GCSEs.
“Our aim is to produce well-rounded pupils who feel confident to explore their academic interests alongside making the most of the enrichment opportunities available to them at PGS,” continued Mr Wickes. “These GCSE grades over a breadth of different subjects – science, arts, humanities – are strong foundations for our pupils to go on to develop even greater academic depth in the subjects they will now study here at A Level.”
