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Pupils at Monkton Combe School near Bath have seen a 5% year-on-year improvement in the highest grades at GCSE in the latest results released today.

66% of students at the school secured 9-7 grades which are equivalent to the old A* and A grades. One in five pupils taking English secured a Grade 9 and over half secured 9-8 in Art.

Principal Chris Wheeler said, “My congratulations go to all of our pupils receiving their GCSE results today. This is continuing evidence that not only are our pupils better prepared in their emotional well being but that the work we do developing pupil self knowledge is exactly what ensures they get better results academically, as well as being more confident in themselves and others.”

“I would particularly highlight the pupil who secured top grades in all ten of her GCSEs, another who secured nine of eleven GCSEs at the top grade and two further pupils who both secured eight GCSEs at the highest grade. Whilst all of these are of course impressive, just as important are all those unsung heroes who fought hard for a Grade 7 in English, Maths, Geography or Philosophy, despite that not being their strongest subject.”

It comes a week after Monkton celebrated a significant rise in its A level results with 51% of grades at A* to A, 81% at A* to B and one in five grades at A*, which is nearly double the percentage of the top grades secured by Monkton pupils three years ago.

Principal Chris Wheeler added, “Pupil emotional wellbeing is the first step to outstanding results and while blind drilling of pupils can achieve good exam results, a personalised approach, 1:1 tutoring and understanding of self can yield similar, if not even better, outcomes in exams, whilst at the same time better preparing pupils for life beyond school.”

www.monktoncombeschool.com