STAFF and students at Matravers School are celebrating the school’s best ever results at both GCSE and A-level, with the school pledging to continue its progress in the forthcoming academic year.
For the first time in its history, the school broke the 50% barrier for students gaining 5 A*-C grades including maths and English at GCSE, while at A-level the number of students achieving the highest grades (A*-B) was up by 15%.
Staff and students thrilled with GCSE success.
GCSE students collected their results from the school’s new sixth form block last Thursday. For many of the students it was also their first chance to see the brand new facilities that they will have the privilege of using over the next academic year.
Last year the school’s GCSE results saw 48.5% of students achieve 5 A*-C grades in subjects including English and maths, and this year the school is delighted to have reached their target of breaking the 50% mark. It is also the third year running that the school’s GCSE scores have been up.
Richard Haupt, acting headteacher said, “English language and mathematics results are the best ever and the percentage of students getting five good passes was up sharply to 80%, another school record. High performing subjects were the sciences and art and design with A*-C pass rates over 90%. BTEC (a work-related qualification) pass rates in science, sport, and music, at A*-C equivalent grades, were 100% across the board.
“Congratulations to the students and staff of Matravers School for their best ever set of GCSE results. We look forward to welcoming back many of our year 11 students into our sixth form. They will join a sixth form that has had record A-level results this year and a brand new purpose-built sixth form centre.
“We’re delighted with the achievements of students and staff. The target now is progress – we’re focusing on making sure every student makes progress.”
Top GCSE achiever Rob Morris was thrilled with his results of 4A* and 8A grades with a distinction in ICT (information and communications technology). He said, “I’m so chuffed, I was not expecting this!” He will stay on at Matravers to study biology, geography, English literature, and photography.
Emily Clark, who achieved 1A*, 7A, and 4Bs at GCSE said the secret to success is “hard work!” She will also stay at Matravers to study for her A-levels. Fiona Barron achieved 4A*, 4A, B, C, and was also delighted with her results. “Some exams were good, although French was terrifying!” she said.
Students celebrate A and AS-level results.
A week earlier students were celebrating the best ever set of A-level results at the school. Richard Haupt said, “Headline scores were up significantly on last year. The average point score was up by 20% and the proportion achieving grades A*-C was also up by 20%. At the top end the number of students achieving the highest grades (A*-B) was up by 15% and A*/A grades were up by 5%, and all this at a time when examination boards have been told to be stricter in their marking. In terms of overall passes, 98% of subjects were passed and this is firmly in line with national trends.
“Top of the subjects this year were art with 7 out of 11 students achieving A*/A, and biology, geology, mathematics, and religious eduction, where many students gained top grades.
“Well done to the students and staff and Matravers for such a good set of results.”
University tuition fees are rising to up to £9,000 per year for students starting courses in the autumn, and university applications in England are down 10%. However, Matravers School still has students eager to continue into higher education.
Top A-level student Sarah Ashford-Smith gained A*AA. With an A* in psychology, she will go on to study the subject at Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh. She said, “I’m very happy – I think it’s down to lots and lots of revision! I wasn’t expecting the A*.”
Head boy Fraser Browning is looking forward to embarking on a masters degree in geophysics at the University of Southampton after achieving three A grades in his A-levels. He said, “I don’t know [the secret to success] – it’s been hard work, stress, but worth it! I didn’t expect to do this well!
Abigail Scott, who also achieved three A grades at A-level said, “I’m very happy – shocked actually! It’s been work and work and more work, and some good teachers.” Abigail will study geography in Exeter.
Hannah Sawyer achieved 3A grades at A-level, as well as an A in her extended project, which is a self directed project. She will now go to study English literature in Bristol. She says the secret to her success is “revising non-stop for three months!”
Another notable result was for Loretta Ziegler, who achieved a starred distinction in her travel and tourism level 3 extended diploma.
