Hugs all round at Neale-Wade Academy students in March celebrate their GCSE results

There were tears of joy, hugs, and mostly smiles at the Neale-Wade Academy in March this morning as students finally got their GCSE results.

For student Grace Howe the results saw her burst into tears of delight as she was hugged by her proud parents having attained one 9, two 8s, two 7s and three 6s.

A grade 9 is the equivalent of an A** and is awarded to fewer pupils than the old A*. Three number grades, 9, 8 and 7, correspond to the former top grades of A* and A. This is designed to give more differentiation at the top end. A grade 6 is a bit higher than the old B grade. While grade 5 is a C* and a grade 4 is a C or is considered a pass.

Most of the students are planning to continue with their education either at the Neale-Wade or at one of the other local colleges.

Staff and students at Neale-Wade Academy were celebrating as the academy secured improved GCSE results.

This year, 67 per cent of students achieved level 9-4 in English, an impressive nine per cent increase on last year. Half of these students achieved the higher grades of 5 and above.

Sixty-four per cent of students achieved level 9-4 in Maths which is a seven per cent increase on last year. Forty per cent of students achieved the higher grades of 9-5 in Maths.

Combined, 54 per cent of students achieved level 9-4 in both English and maths, which is a huge 13 per cent increase on last year. While a third of students achieved the higher 9-5 grades in English and maths, which is up a significant 10 per cent from last year.

The academy is expecting a significant improvement in the government benchmark Progress measure.

This year's star performers included: Archie Patterson: Two 9s, six 8s, level distinction* and a grade 7; Holly Fake: One 9, five 8s, two level distinction*s, two grade 7s and one grade 6; Athena Charalambous: One 9, four 8s, one distinction* and three 7s.

Executive principal, Jason Wing, said: “We are thrilled with these results and it is great to see improvements across the board, especially within maths and English where we have worked hard to excel our provisions.

“We are so proud of our students who have managed to achieve both strong results in core subjects and their chosen subjects. We wish them the best of luck for their future and we look forward to welcoming back some familiar faces to our growing sixth form in September.”

Jim Rowland, co-head of school added: “These results are due to the commitment shown by students and staff through the year. It is important to remember the support offered by parents and the wider school community who have enabled this year group to provide such a positive upswing in results. I am immensely proud of everybody who has been involved in producing such successful students who are now set for the next stage of their education or employment.”

The school offers a broad range of different subjects as highlighted by Ofsted. Subjects that performed particularly well included:

 Biology, 100 per cent level 9-4

 Health & Fitness, 100 per cent level 9-4

 Chemistry, 96 per cent level 9-4

 Physics, 92 per cent level 9-4

 Music, 89 per cent level 9-4

 Sport, 83 per cent level 9-4

 Finance, 83 per cent level 9-4

 Business, 73 per cent level 9-4

 Dance, 71 per cent level 9-4

Clive Bush, Acting CEO of The Active Learning Trust, said: “We are very pleased for Neale- Wade Academy. The staff are dedicated to providing the best possible education for their students and to see these results reflect that effort is fantastic.”

More to follow with pictures and stories from students.