LIVE: GCSE results from across the region (From York Press)

2:38pm

Brayton High School has recorded an 11 per cent improvement in GCSE results today, the best the school has ever achieved.

Mike Roper, head teacher, said: "We are so proud of everything our students have achieved this year and wish them every success in their future plans. 

"Good exam results are achieved through a combination of hard work from the students, good teaching and support from families. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the students, families, teachers and support staff at the school for the hard work they have put into realising these results."

Mr Roper said the school was particularly pleased to be celebrating their best ever results for Maths and English.

He said: "We have made considerable improvements throughout the school over the past 2 years and these results reflect the quality of education now being provided at Brayton High School. We look forward to even further success next year."

1:11pm

Archbishop Holgate’s CE School in York are celebrating excellent GCSE results today following record breaking Sixth Form results last week. 

Students and staff with the support of parents achieved a pass rate of 90% A*-C.

Head teacher Andrew Daly said the results were “an absolute credit to the students, the staff and parents, who have worked together to achieve excellent results which will give our young people the very best start to their Sixth Form studies at the school. I look forward with staff to congratulating students personally when they collect their results”. 

The results led to 23 per cent of students securing an A*, A or Distinction in their subjects, with 63 per cent of students in the year group achieved at least one A*, A or Distinction grade. 70 per cent of students achieved five A*-C including English and maths, with 85 per cent of pupils in English gaining an A*-C grade.

Deputy head Helen Dowds said: “The results recognised the hard work, dedication and  commitment of both staff and students."

12:27pm

At Scarborough College sixth formers celebrated GCSE success.

In July, Scarborough College sixth formers celebrated their results in the International Baccalaureate examinations which saw its students gain their first choice universities.

Not to be outdone, the GCSE students have followed with their own achievements.  84 per cent of students gained five grades A* to C with 60 per cent of the grades at A* to B. 

Head teacher, Isobel Nixon said: “20 per cent of the college’s students are international who are studying academic subjects in their second language so they have done very well.”

The college curriculum is academic and all students follow the IGCSE maths course along with three separate sciences and a modern language.  Therefore, the College was particularly delighted that 94% of its students passed maths, three sciences and at least one modern foreign language.  Artistic flair was also very much in evidence with 81 per cent of the GCSE art grades at A* or A. 

Mrs Nixon said: “The college is very proud of its broad ability range and these results demonstrate what can be achieved in academic subjects through high expectations and good teaching.  We are also pleased to see that our boys have performed well, bucking the national trend.  This year, seven of our best performers were boys including James Scott who gained an impressive clean sweep of A* and A grades."

12:12pm

At Barlby High as well as the Year 11 grades, huge success has been achieved by the Year 10 students – these are students who are half way through their GCSE courses.

Head teacher, Heather Scott, said: “We are delighted that our youngsters have achieved so well during this summer’s exams.

“Our students have shown that they are dedicated to achieving their academic potential and their hard work has paid off.”

Of particular interest are:

Amy-May Dicks (Head Girl) with 5 A*s in Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Maths and History
Emily Mundon with 3 A*s, two As and a B
Ailish Grace Parsons with two A*s, two As, grade B and C
Eve Headley with an A*, an A and three B grades
Stephanie Fyfe with an A*, an A, B and C grade
Sam Dennis with 3 As and a C

Jo Appleyard, achievement leader for Years 10 and 11, said: “This is a great step towards another fantastic set of exam results for our students.

“We really look forward to getting their final results in summer 2013, and supporting them as they move into college.”
 

11:33am

At  Joseph Rowntree school in New Earswick pupils achieved record results at GCSE with 85 per cent of pupils getting five or more subjects at grades A* - C.

Head teacher, Maggi Wright, said: "This is our best result in the school’s history. In particular, we are celebrating fantastic maths and science results which have achieved 78 per cent and 91 per cent A*-C respectively.

"We can also report a big jump in the number of A* and A grades, bucking the national trend, with a record number of students gaining straight A*/A in every subject.

"Like other schools across the country, it is disappointing that last minute changes in the marking boundaries for English have had an impact on a small number of students.

"Our young people have worked so hard for this excellent set of results and we are so pleased many of them are returning to our successful sixth form. Again the support of the parents and governors along with good staff is invaluable in making this happen.’’
 

11:19am

Students and staff at Barlby High School have been celebrating a bumper set of exam results today. 90 per cent of Barlby students achieved the benchmark standard of five A*-C GCSE grades.

Head Heather Scott said: “We are delighted that our youngsters have achieved so well during this summer’s exams.

“Our students have shown that they are dedicated to achieving their academic potential and their hard work has paid off. What’s really rewarding is that we have made it possible for 9 out of 10 students at Barlby to go on to further and higher education institutions. When we started this journey of school improvement in 2009, only five out of ten students had that opportunity.”

90% of students achieved 5 A*-C grades, with 98% of students achieving at least 1 A*-G grade and 94% achieving at least 5 A*-G grades.  For the national benchmark of 5 A*-C grades including English and Maths, 57% of students at Barlby achieved this gold standard, matching last year’s best ever results – even in today’s climate of harder marking. The English Baccalaureate gold standard at Barlby High this year was 28%, which is significantly above the national average of last year, which was 15%.

“This is another huge improvement for Barlby High students,” said Sue Gradwell, Chair of the Shadow Governing Body at Barlby. “We are so proud of our students and staff for their diligence and exceptional hard work – these results represent continued improvement in standards at Barlby, and shows us that we are on the right track to further success in the future.”

 
“These excellent results show that the students have taken their teachers’ advice to heart and focused on their studies over the last two years,” said Jo Appleyard, Achievement Team Leader for Year 11 students at Barlby High School.  “I would like to congratulate all of them and wish them all the very best for their future studies.”

Of special mention as our high achievers are:

Beth Hindle: 7 A*s, 1 A, 6 Distinctions
Jonathan Adamson (Head Boy): 5 A*s, 3 As, 6 Distinctions
Jack Hanslope (Deputy Head Boy): 5 A*s, 3 As, 6 Distinctions
Braidey Greenbank: 5 A*s, 3 As, 5 Distinctions

11:07am

Fulford School in York has come out on top as the best performing school in the city with 74 per cent of pupils getting
five A*-C including English and maths.
About 94 per cent of pupils at the school achieved five A*-C   grades with 37 students achieving 9+ grades at A*/A and Lana Legg, Eleanor Platt and Rachel Watson all achieved a fantastic 10 A* grades.

Results across the board for all departments showed that in maths pupils achieved 87 per cent A*-C .

Head teacher, Steve Smith, said: "Once more these are a very good set of results and we should be proud of all the young people who have achieved high grades this year. Today we need to recognise the achievements of students who have worked incredibly hard to achieve these the results, not denigrate their success by questioning standards or rigour.

"These results have been achieved through the hard work, determination and ability of our youngsters allied with teaching of the highest quality backed up by outstanding care, guidance and support from both teaching and support staff. Like that of Team GB it is an incredible team effort that has delivered these fantastic results."

Mr Smith also commented on the national story about harsher marking for GCSE English exam papers.

He said: "However a major issue nationally, and which has affected Fulford and most other York schools relates to the C/D borderline in English. What has happened this year is not that the exams or standards have been made more rigorous in a way that young people and teachers can prepare for. What appears to have happened is that, halfway through the year, it was decided that too many students were going to get a C grade in English and the grade boundaries of the exam were pushed up very substantially. Standards in schools have not changed one iota. It is the grading that has changed. Students who were working at a C level throughout the year, who were told on their assessments that they were in line for a C, have found out today that this is worth a D. This means they may not get their places at college and sixth form.

 
“It is morally wrong to manipulate exam grades in this way – it is playing with young people’s futures. Failure to gain a C or above in English blocks access to post-16 study and many career paths. It could also demoralise those students who are at the highest risk of dropping out of education.  All school and college leaders fully recognise that we need a reasoned, thoughtful debate about the purpose, rigour and long-term future of exams at 16, leading to a properly planned and implemented set of reforms with a workable timescale. This tinkering every year, in the middle of the exam season, has got to stop.

"When the “A” level results came out last week I compared the efforts and achievement of Fulford’s and the nation’s youngsters to all those athletes who competed so successfully in the Olympic Games. However to continue the analogy what has happened to the nation’s English results is like saying that in the heats for the Mens 100 metres final the first 2 athletes in each of the 3 semi final heats plus the 2 fastest losers will qualify for the final. Then it is announced that actually the final will be made up of the 8 athletes who have achieved the best times over the year.

"As I said at the start well done to all our youngsters. The results at Fulford provide further evidence of the excellent quality of the state sector in the City of York. As the headteacher of Fulford School I am proud and privileged to work with so many committed and positive young people and staff."

10:36am

At Lady Lumley's School in Pickering this year's crop of record GCSE results have particular significance for for head teacher, Richard Bramley. He said: "This year group started at the school at the same time as I did in September 2007 so I was extremely pleased by their record results.  The A* to C pass rate is 81 per cent for five or more GCSE examinations was the school’s best ever. 

"The students also did incredibly well to beat last year’s English Baccalaureate score, with 27 per cent achieving A* - C in English, maths, science, geography or history and a modern language.  This score is even more remarkable as we are one of the few schools still to give all our students a free choice of subjects at GCSE so they can study the ones they love and enjoy the most. 

"The Year 11 students also achieved 61 per cent five A* to C including English and mathematics and a quarter of the entries received an A* or A, with almost another quarter at B and another 26 per cent at C grade. 

"Particular mention must go to Jacob Pepper who obtained a fantastic nine A*,  three A and a B, closely followed by Will Mennell (8A*, 3A, 1 B, 1C),  Tom Wrench (8A*,2A and 2B) and Chris Featherstone (8A*, 1 A, 2B and an A in short course RE).  Many other students also achieved excellent results with 42 per cent of students achieved three or more A* or A grades.  
Our triplets, Bethany, Emma and Rebecca Collins did themselves and their family proud, with 22 A* and A grades (as well as creditable Bs and Cs) amongst the three of them, whilst the twins, Elizabeth and Oliver Rising, bagged another 23 GCSEs at C or above.

"As the Government continues to tighten the way subjects are examined and marked, I feel very confident that the traditional, rigorous approach Lady Lumley’s takes towards examinations will continue to pay dividends for our students.  This year’s Year 11 were a lovely bunch, most of whom are staying on into the sixth form.  Everyone at the school is looking forward to seeing them in September and we also wish the very best to those who are moving on."
 

10:26am

In North Yorkshire Boroughbridge High School students have achieved a strong set of GCSE results.
81 per cent of GCSE students at the High School achieved the benchmark figure of five or more A* to C passes, with 63 per cent including English and maths.
At the very top, 16 per cent of students achieved five GCSEs or more at A*-A.
100 per cent of GCSE pupils at the school achieved one or more GCSE A* to C pass.
Student Nathan Jordan, 16, who celebrated 1 A*, seven As and three Bs, said it was an excellent day and they were delighted with their results.
He said: “I’m so pleased with my results. The teachers helped us all in any way they could. I am looking forward to returning to Boroughbridge High to study my A-levels full of confidence.”
Other pupils who gained excellent results were Oliver Cunliffe (five A*s, five As and one B), Luke Smith (one A*, seven As and three Bs), Charlotte Staines (eight As and two Bs), Rose Priestley (one A*,  six As, three Bs and one C), Sarah Place (one A*, seven As, two Bs, one C), Rachel Gilby (two A*s, six As, two Bs), Cameron Herbert (seven As and three Bs ), Gregor Dales (seven As, four Bs).
Head teacher Elaine Dixon said: "Our students success is built upon years of hard work, application and no small amount of talent.”
“We are pleased as a school with these results and also pleased for each pupil. Many pupils have achieved above their targets. They've worked so hard and been so determined.”
“We are concerned thought that some pupils have not received a grade in line with their ability and hard work. This is a national issue and one that we are determined to investigate.”
“It would seem that some of these exams have been marked more harshly than previous years as a quick fix to the long held assumption that GCSE exams are becoming easier. While the school recognises the need for rigour it seems unfair that these pupils are punished for something that is not their fault.”
“It is important to remember that it is the duty of the school to provide an education and opportunities for all pupils. We strive as a school to provide every pupil with life chances.”
“This follows up the excellent AS and A2 results achieved by pupils last week.”
 

10:09am

Bootham School in York posted another set of excellent results, with fourteen of its’ GCSE students gaining 11 or more A*/A grades.  Among those celebrating is Gemma Hayward, who notched up 11 A*s following on from big sister Abi, who secured three grade A’s at A-level last week.  Abi will be starting her course in Zoology at Sheffield University next month, while Gemma returns to Bootham School’s ‘College Class’ to pursue A-levels. 

Headmaster, Jonathan Taylor, said, “We must remember that although these exams come round each year, for the students the GCSE results are their first set of published results – it’s exciting and nerve-racking for them in equal measure.  My heartiest congratulations for all their hard work and effort which has paid off in another set of very good results.”

Bootham students who gained 11 A*/A grades include: Ellie Aspinall, George Baines, Susannah Dickens, Mimi Evagora-Campbell, Sally Foster, Alex Grew, Gemma Hayward, Annie Howard, Toby Jackson, Yannis Koulocheris, Jack Painter, Samuel Robinson, Andrew Taylor and Sophie Wood.
 

9:30am

In North Yorkshire Easingwold School Year 11 students celebrated with their teachers and parents today after achieving excellent GCSE results.

• 77% achieved 5 or more passes at A*-C, 10% higher than last year
• Thirteen students achieved ten or more A* or A grades, nine of them achieving 6 or more A* grades
• nearly a quarter of the year group achieved 5 or more A* or A grades
• 98% achieved 5 or more passes at A*-G including English and maths
• 80% of Year 10 students achieved 5 or more passes at A*-C

Particularly high achievers included:

Emily Matkin (10 A* grades)
Luke Turnbull (11 A* grades)
Kathryn Bolton (8 A* and 3 A grades)
Robert James (9 A* and 3 A grades)
George Hawkswell (9 A* and 1 A grade)
Adam Price (8 A* and 2.5 A grades)
Ashton Bauer (7 A* and 3.5 A grades)
Alice Langstaff (7 A* and 3 A grades)
Emily Snook (7 A* and 2 A grades)
Emma Adams (6 A* and 4 A grades)
Connie O’Neill (5 A* and 5 A grades)

Students did particularly well in maths and science this year, with 71% achieving A*-C in maths and 72% of entries for science subjects graded A*-C.

Interim head teacher, Geoff Jenkinson, said: “This year group and the staff who taught them have worked extremely hard together, with strong support from parents. I am delighted that their efforts have paid off. Our students now have excellent foundations on which to build as they move on to further education or training .”

9:22am

Across the city at York High School  in Acomb staff and students are also celebrating record examination results - in their case for the fourth year in a row.

At York High 58 per cent of students gained five A* - C grades including English and maths with 97 per cent of pupils gaining the equivalent of five good GCSE grades. Both of these figures are the highest ever for the school.

Head teacher David Ellis said: “This year group are the first set of students to have spent all of their secondary education at York High School so it is a very special day for all of us that we have yet again produced the best ever results for the school.

"I would want pass on my congratulations to the students who have been a fantastic group of young people to work with and to say a massive thank you to the staff at York High who have worked so hard to support the young people in achieving this success.”

The results included some outstanding performances form individual students; Jess Millson gained 12 grade A’s and 3A*, Katie Jaros 8A and 3A*, Daniel Cartwright 7A and 4A* and Laura Betteridge gained 9 grade A’s. 

Head teacher David Ellis said: “About  22 per cent of students gained at least three grade A’s or better this year which is double the previous best for our school, so it is particularly satisfying to see that our most able students are fulfilling their potential.”

“In the context of the national picture where the government are pressurising exam boards to raise pass marks, particularly in English it is especially pleasing to see that the results at York High continue in an upward direction.”