Following on from last week’s record-breaking A Level exam results, today was the turn of the Year 11s to celebrate their GCSE achievements.
Headmaster, Paul Vicars, commented: ‘We are exceptionally proud of all our students who collected their results today, due reward for the dedicated efforts of staff, students and their families over the two-year GCSE course. The School’s academic focus is aimed at delivering excellence for all, measured not only by many students achieving the very highest grades, but also strong Added Value scores, and we are delighted with both outcomes.’
21% of all grades were Grade 9, with 59% Grades 7-9. Over a fifth of students secured all their grades between Grades 7-9 while, quite remarkably, 5 students scored 10 or more Grade 9s – a very special achievement. This year’s Added Value score, the closest equivalent to Progress 8, means the School continues the trend over the last decade of adding, on average, over half a grade higher in every subject for each student compared to their baseline expectations.
Paul Vicars continues: ‘While very pleased with today’s results, one of the great features of a Birkenhead School education is that academic study is just one part of our provision. Today’s students have immersed themselves in the co-curricular activities offered by the School; participation in sport, music, drama, debating and a rich variety of other clubs and activities on offer are integral to the daily life of students, enhance their grade outcomes, and provide necessary balance and perspective. We celebrate today’s cohort who have been great contributors to the School community over many years, many gaining regional and national representative honours across many sporting and creative disciplines.
Today’s GCSE results follow publication of last week’s record-breaking A Level grades, which were the best on Wirral, one of the very highest across the North-West, and place the School 39th across the whole country. 25% of all grades awarded were at the top A* grade, with 62% of grades A*-A.
The majority of students receiving their GCSE grades today now proceed into the School’s Sixth Form. Reflecting the quality of GCSE results, and the School’s outstanding A Level pedigree, September’s Sixth Form will be the largest seen in the last decade. While approx. 140 students remains small by the standards of many local schools, the bespoke and focused support, both academic and pastoral, and the co-curricular and leadership opportunities that such a size enables, is a hallmark of a Birkenhead School education, and attractive to broad-minded and ambitious learners who join the School community from outside for their Sixth Form education.
In addition to the regular academic curriculum, these students will enjoy a range of further opportunities designed to provide the launchpad and mind-set for success after school. These include the Beyond the Curriculum programme (BTC) which provides students with core skills including critical thinking, presentation, research and interview skills, bespoke Oxbridge, medical and engineering pathway preparation and support from the dedicated Futures Team regarding UCAS and top degree apprenticeship opportunities.
As role models within a School that starts in the Nursery, Sixth Formers have opportunities to volunteer, mentor and lead their community. It is an exciting place to further their academic and wider passions, develop lifelong friendships, skills and independence of thought, and gain access to a global network of Old Birkonians who are keen to help recent leavers and university students at the start of their careers.
We wish all our students well with their next steps and welcome external applications for entry into Sixth Form from students who are ambitious learners and whose attitude and values will see them contribute strongly to the Birkenhead School community.
For those wishing to find out more about a Birkenhead School education, including means-tested bursary support, information can be found on our website. Families are encouraged to sign up early to attend one of the School’s Michaelmas Term Open Events – Seniors (Year 7 to Sixth Form) Thursday 3rd October; Prep (Primary ages) Friday 15th November.