Brighton Aldridge Community Academy students have been celebrating GCSE results which, the school said, showed significant increases in overall attainment and progress.
BACA principal Bob Speight said: “The students in this year group have been a pleasure to work with.
“They put so much into their year 11 studies and have achieved results to be really proud of.
“I would like to thank them, their parents and carers and the staff who have worked with them to achieve these excellent outcomes.
“Results in English were among the most pleasing, with 72 per cent of students achieving a grade 4 or above and 61 per cent a strong pass at grade 5 or above, results that seem likely to exceed national averages.
“Performance in creative and vocational courses was exceptional, with very high pass rates and proportions of students achieving the highest grades.”
The school said: “Seventy one per cent of students achieved Distinction or Distinction* in creative media, as did 49 per cent in business, 40 per cent in drama and 38 per cent in catering.
“Overall, BACA students achieved a record number of 40 maximum grades (9 or Distinction*) across 15 different subjects.”
Mr Speight said: “As schools across the country continue to adapt to new tougher GCSE specifications, it is very pleasing to see that our pass rates at BACA have increased in nearly all subjects compared to 2018, with notable increases in computer science, geography, PE and history.”
The school added: “Forty eight per cent of BACA students secured both English and maths grades 9 to 4 and 18 per cent achieved a strong pass in both subjects (grades 9 to 5).
“The proportion of students achieving passes across the EBacc (English Baccalaureate) subjects doubled to 12 per cent.”
Among the top performers were
- Amanda Kangai, who achieved four grade 9s, three grade 8s, two grade 7s and a Distinction*. Amanda is going on to study A levels in physics, maths, computer science and economics. She said: “I don’t know what to say. It’s amazing. Maths was difficult but I did so well. I’m thinking of studying to become an engineer.”
- Natasha Tully, who achieved four grade 9s (including all three sciences), two grade 8s, two grade 7s, a grade 6 and a Distinction, described herself as “very surprised but very happy about my physics”. She said: “I’d like to go on to study chemistry, biology and maybe English literature – and ideally study veterinary sciences. I’m off to celebrate with my friends.”
- Sermed Ghouri achieved 10 grades at seven or above and achieved on average three grades above his targets in each subject. Sermed said: “I did better than I expected. I’m really proud of my results. I’m going on to study double physics and double maths at sixth form college.”
- Mia Rogers, achieved eight grades of 7 or above including a grade 9. Mia said: “I didn’t expect it. The chemistry exam was difficult but I did really well. I’m feeling really good about my results.”
Sixteen students achieved on average one grade above their targets across all their subjects.
Mr Speight added: “It is also worth remembering the personal triumphs behind every student and their results.
“These include many students who have succeeded in overcoming a number of personal challenges.”
He thanked not just the students but also their staff and parents.
