Pupils break records with GCSE results

RECORDS have tumbled again as Retford schools reported top-notch GCSE exam results.

Retford Oaks and Elizabethan high schools have both seen improvements in their overall showing and Elizabethan High School students had to wait a touch longer for their results than most as the school's IT system was receiving a major upgrade.

As a result, staff had to work through the papers manually and pupils were eventually able to open their envelopes at 11am.

Speaking on the day of the results, Elizabethan's head, Lynn Kenworthy, said: "All of our students achieved qualifications.

"This was a hard-working year group and we wish them continued success as they move onto the Post-16 Centre or further education."

At Retford Oaks High School, a record number of students were celebrating their GCSE results.

Over 83 per cent achieved five or more A* to C grades with over 49 per cent notching five or more A* to C grades including English and maths.

Principal, Dave Gibson, said: "This is a fantastic set of results. To have achieved another record this year - up 7 per cent on last year - is the result of the hard work of all of the students, in partnership with teachers, and parents.

"They should be proud of what they have achieved as a result of these efforts and their success.

"As a new academy from September, these results give us a strong position to move forward from in the future to reach our goal of being an outstanding school," he added.

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Tuxford School pupils again put in a strong showing at GCSEs.

Seventy per cent of Year 11 students achieved five plus A*-Cs including both English and maths. This equals last year's record and will result in the year group being in the top 15 per cent of schools nationally in terms of progress from Year 7, the school says.

Eighty-seven per cent of students achieved five plus A*-Cs and 98 per cent of students achieved five plus A* to Gs. 20 per cent of the grades awarded were A*s - or As.

"Congratulations to all students at Tuxford for producing these excellent results and thanks to all staff for their hard work and dedication," said head teacher, Geoff Lloyd.

"All those associated with Tuxford School should take great pride in these results," he added.

As Serlby Park prepares to open on September 1 as one of the country's first 3-19 academies, the Bircotes-based school says it is celebrating record breaking results at every key stage.

A total of 48per cent of students received five A* to C including English and maths. 76per cent managed five A* to C and 98per cent A* to G.

Principal designate, Jo Edwards said: "Our congratulations go to all the students in Key Stage 4 who have been celebrating their results.

"We look forward to the majority of them returning in September to swell sixth form numbers to an all time high, breaking yet another record for Serlby Park."

The two private schools in the area also reported top marks. Eaton's Jamia Al-Karam college said 80per cent of its students achieved A* to C and 56per cent bagged five plus A* to C grades including English and maths.

And Worksop College's Year 11 pupils have put in an impressive display. Just under 90per cent of all exams taken were passed at grade C or above, with 35per cent of the grades awarded being A* or A.

Headmaster Roy Collard said: "I am not only impressed by the fantastic pass rate of our examinations, but also by the top grades that our pupils have achieved.

"These are all in academic subjects which the government is encouraging all schools to take. This makes our examination results even more impressive for we do not allow our pupils to take the softer options."

In Ollerton, the Dukeries College announced significant improvements to last year's results.

A total of 95per cent of students achieved five A* to G grades and 99per cent received at least one GCSE.

Principal Danny Smith said: "We are particularly pleased with the increase in percentage results, which is as a direct result of the hard work and dedication to studies shown by our students and the teaching staff here at The Dukeries."

Hill House School in Doncaster has received its best ever GCSE results.

47per cent of all exams were graded A or A*, and 97per cent of students achieved at least five GCSEs at grade C or above.

Headmaster David Holland was delighted with the results, saying: "I congratulate everyone on such an excellent set of results.

The fact that almost half of all grades were As or A*s reflects a huge amount of hard work by both students and teachers alike."

Queen Elizabeth High School Gainsborough students are again celebrating outstanding results.

Over half of all exams taken were awarded one of the top two grades of A* or A.

Every student gained five or more A*-C grades with 98per cent of them gaining five or more A*-C including English and maths.

David Allsop, the headteacher, said: "Yet again the hard work of the staff and the students has reaped dividends for our students who have managed to gain an outstanding set of results this year with more students than ever gaining at least one A* or A grade."