There were smiles galore as KES pupils collected their GCSE results this morning. Having successfully taken on the widely reported challenges of the recently reformed exams, they certainly had much to celebrate, with nearly a quarter of entries attaining the highest possible grade (‘9’ or, in the case of English Literature, ‘A*’). Over 45% of entries secured a 9, 8 or A* grade, with almost 70% at grades 7/A or better.
Over a third of the cohort achieved 9 or more GCSEs at grade 7/A or above, with 14 pupils gaining 7 or more 9/A* grades.
Of the many high performing departments, leading the way was drama, in which a staggering 63% of the 32 entries were at grade 9, more evidence – if it were needed – that the judges chose wisely earlier this year when announcing King Edward’s as the Independent Performing Arts School of the Year. It is clear that the school’s new drama centre, ‘The Rose’, has been put to very good use!
In other subjects, over half the entries in biology, chemistry, maths and physics were at grades 8 or 9.
Headmaster, Martin Boden, was full of praise for the KES pupils, commenting, “The new GCSE and IGCSE courses are more stretching and have brought with them the extra challenge of the coveted ‘9’ grade. I am delighted that this year’s Year 11 cohort have stepped up to that challenge and I warmly congratulate them on their well-deserved success!”