Blue Coat’s year 11s have achieved an impressive set of GCSE results again this year. The sciences featured particularly strongly, with 100% of grades in Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Geology at A*-B/9-6.

Despite recent press regarding the decline of language studies in UK schools, all of Blue Coat’s German GCSE students attained A*-A/9-7 – and all French and Spanish GCSE students attained A*-C/4 and above.

James Clarke achieved an impressive 11A*s/8-9, as well as an A* for his Level 2 qualification in Further Mathematics. James will be going on to study Chemistry, Physics, Maths and Further Maths at A Level.

In addition to James, 12 other pupils – Ethan Bains-Gillespie, Matthew Calhoum, Cassian Cockings, Joshua Harris, Cameron Ireland, Ethan Page-Mason, Chris Montague, James Penrose, Thomas Price, Jude Simmons, Rowan Sinclair and Eric Sun – achieved all A*-A/9-7 . Six of those students – Ethan B-G, Cassian. Joshua, Cameron, Rowan and Eric – also attained A*-A/9-7 for their Further Mathematics Level 2 qualification.

Headmaster Mr Elzinga says: “I am delighted with these superb GCSE results, which represent the hard work of pupils, our staff and supportive families.  Given the new grading system of numbers in many subjects, it is difficult to compare exactly with previous years, but by all measurements this is an extremely strong set of results.  It is certainly notable that almost 70% of all results were A*/A (or 9-7 in the new scale) and 90% of all results were A*-B (or 9-6 in the new scale).  We are very proud of these strong statistics, yet more important than the overall numbers are the many individual success stories, and I am proud of what every young man has accomplished.  With only a handful of exceptions, the vast majority of this year group is returning to start the Sixth Form at Blue Coat and I look forward to welcoming them back to school in September.”

Academic Deputy Rob Tidbury says: “It’s fantastic to see our students and staff rise to the challenge of the new, more robust grading system – and achieve so many top results.”