GCSE Successes on Near-Normal Results Day

There was plenty to celebrate at this year’s GCSE Results Day, not least that girls were able to come in to School and receive their grades from form tutors! Unlike last year, when restrictions meant that results were delivered remotely, Girls’ Division pupils enjoyed celebrating their GCSE results in the Great Hall and Leverhulme Suite together with friends, family and staff. Much like A Level Results Day earlier in the week, the occasion represented a return to ‘nearly normal’ after two unusual and challenging years for the Year 11 cohort.

Acting Headmistress Lynne Kyle said, ‘The pupils have shown real strength of character, committing themselves to the system of assessment put in place, and they fully deserve this superb set of results. We, the staff, are all personally proud today of what they have achieved. These GCSE grades are also testament to the hard work and professionalism staff brought to the Teacher Assessed Grade process.’

As well as continuing their studies through lockdowns and home learning, the girls have pursued their many varied passions during their GCSE years.

Thirty-one girls managed to complete their Silver Duke of Edinburgh Award or Certificate (for those unable to accomplish the Expedition section due to Covid) over the past two pandemic-affected academic years. Among them is Kelly Chae, who received a full set of eleven 9s in her GCSEs! For her Silver Award she volunteered as an ICT ambassador in school, climbed on the Boys’ Division climbing wall for her physical section, and taught herself Mandarin for her skill. Ananya Ajit, Isabella Li and Hannah McKee also completed Silver D of E and gained nine or more grade 9s apiece.

Two young sports stars also received their results this morning: Poppy Donohue has become a member of the Lancashire Under 18s Cricket team during her GCSE years; and Lucy Dixon, who achieved eight 9s and two 8s in her results, is a highly successful competitive swimmer and cross country runner. Actor Georgia McGinty has achieved academic success in her GCSEs alongside her strong commitment to drama and theatre performances.

Another success story on the day was that of young entrepreneur Jasmine Shum. She launched her own fashion brand niam.uk in early 2020 and has earned three 9s, three 8s and four 6s in her GCSEs alongside managing her business.

In the Girls’ Division, 65% of girls gained at least eight grades at 7 or above and 77.3% of grades were in the 7 to 9 category. More than half (58%) of the grades were awarded at grade 8 or 9, and almost a third (32.6%) of grades awarded were 9s. The cohort of 125 achieved a 100% pass rate at grades 9 to 4.