Matravers School has praised the ‘resilience’ of its Year 11 students who recently received their GCSE results.
Prior to the results day, on Thursday 20th August, GCSE students faced an anxious wait to find out how their results would be calculated after A-level students – who collected their results the week before – had some results downgraded by exams regulator Ofqual.
Because both A-level and GCSE students were unable to sit their exams due to the Covid-19 pandemic, results were originally going to be based on the predictions of teachers.
However, Ofqual’s use of an algorithm – which used a formula based on schools’ prior grades – to calculate students’ final grades resulted in around 40% of A-level results being downgraded, causing wide-spread upset for students across the country.
In response to the national outcry, the government made a U-turn, reverting back to the original plan to base results on the predictions of teachers in time for GCSE students to receive their results.
Progress leader of Y11, Miss Chesters, said, “Throughout these unprecedented times, the class of 2020 have shown huge amounts of resilience to overcome the challenges that have come their way. They have demonstrated a selfless attitude shown by how they have all looked out for and looked after each other throughout their time at Matravers School. This quality was seen in abundance during the lockdown period.
“Each and every student in Y11 deserves congratulations on their GCSE grades, but we would like to say a particular well done to: Katie Williams with 8 Grade 9s and 1 Grade 8; Kirsten Lacey with 7 Grade 9s and 2 Grade 8s; Joel Foskett with 6 Grade 9s 1 Grade 8 and 2 Grade 7s; Sofia Mistretta with 6 Grade 9s 1 Grade 8 and 1 Grade 7 and Elliott Scott with 5 Grade 9s 1 Grade 8 and 2 Grade 7s.
“We would also like to say a huge well done to the following students who have all had to overcome a variety of challenges and have achieved fantastic GCSE results: Halle Elvina, Hattie Fordred and Beth Smith.”
Deputy headteacher Mr Solomons who has worked closely with Y11 was also full of praise for the class of 2020. “It has been wonderful to see the Y11 students in school this morning collecting their results,” said Mr Solomons. “We have missed not seeing them throughout the lockdown period, and whilst no GCSE grade can ever show the resilience our students have shown throughout these unprecedented times, it has been wonderful seeing lots of smiling happy faces this morning.
“I would also like to thank Miss Chesters and Mrs Hill (pastoral manger) for all their hard work in creating such a celebratory feel for students as they collected their results. Students really appreciated their ‘goodie’ bag of sweets, a T-shirt and Matravers pen!
“The Matravers family looks forward to welcoming the vast majority of the class of 2020 back to our 6th form and for students moving on to college, we wish them success!”
