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Just a week after A-level students collected their results, it's now time for GCSEs.
Pupils in Dover, Deal and Sandwich headed into school this morning to find out how they did in their exams.
But it's not just GCSE results which are out today - those who chose BTEC options will also be picking up that important envelope.
These young people will then begin a new chapter of their lives, either at sixth form, college or on a work training scheme.
Numbered grading system
More GCSE subjects are being graded using the number system this year, with 9 being the top score and 1 the lowest.
This has been phased in since 2017 to replace the previous A* to G grades.
Starting with English and maths, the new number system is now being used for almost all GCSE subjects.
Duke of York’s Royal Military School: Students and staff are celebrating great results at GCSE with 89% of students in English, 80% in Mathematics, and 84% in Science gaining Grade 4 or above.
Also, 50% of students obtained at least five GCSEs at Grade 5 or higher, including English and Maths.
Alex Foreman, the school’s Principal, said: “I would like to congratulate our remarkable students on a commendable set of results. Early indications show this is a record year with even greater progress than last year when we were the highest non-selective school in Kent, comparable to many of the county’s leading grammar schools. We believe our academic focus, twinned with a wide variety of extra-curricular activities, allow our students to excel and achieve their personal goals while fostering good values and life skills.”
Outstanding individual success include: Seb Brown, who secured five Grade 9, three Grade 8 and two Grade 7; Ruth Adewole with four Grade 9 and six Grade 8; Guido Rowe gained three Grade 9, four Grade 8 and two Grade 6; Alex Gleeson with three Grade 9, four Grade 8, one Grade 7 and two Grade 5; Ayo Olaifa gained three Grade 9, one Grade 8 and five Grade 7.
Seventeen students have been offered academic scholarships to study A Levels at the school. Furthermore, additional scholarships have been offered to external applicants as the school continues to grow its Sixth Form.
Sandwich Technology School:
There were plenty of smiles at Sandwich Technology School as pupils celebrated obtaining the required results to take them onto the next step in their education.
Emily Manning thought she wasn't going to pass but was over the moon with her 5 in science.
Aspiring beautician Amy Gibb was delighted with her 4 in English Literature meaning she can study Beauty at Canterbury College from September. She was off to celebrate her grades with mum Amy Gibb at Nandos.
Another proud mum was Vicky Mitford whose daughter Nancy Mitford gained a 6 in Maths and 5s in English and Science. She will now study Health and Social Care at Canterbury College.
Rosemary Smith said her son Louis Curtis-Smith had "smashed it" after achieving a 7 in Maths. He is staying at the school for A-Levels and hopes to study Architecture in the future.
Isobelle Brooman achieved 8s in both Maths and Science, standing her in good stead as she heads to Simon Langton Grammar School for Girls in Canterbury to study A-Levels in Maths, Physics, Chemistry and Geography.
Head teacher Tracey Savage said: “This is the third year in a row that our GCSE results have improved and we are all delighted.
“51% of all of our students achieved a pass (Grade 4) in both English and Maths, 25% achieved a good pass (Grade 5) in both English and Maths, and 7% managed to get the very top grades (at least a grade 7) in both English and Maths – these represent our best grades ever.”
The school was also pleased to report significant improvements in the results of 90% of the individual subjects, and that they had double the amount of grade 9 -7s this year compared to last year.
Mrs Savage added: "Improvements like these do not just happen.
"They are the output of significant hard work and focus from the staff, students and parents alike, all working together towards a common goal – I am so proud of everyone."
Goodwin Academy: After a gruelling 22 exams and a two-month wait for the results, Adam McCaughey was made up with his 5 in English.
He said: "I revised every day. I thought I was going to fail but I'm pleased I got everything I need."
He will now study engineering at Dover College.
Principal Simon Smith congratulated Zoe Harrington on her 7 and 6 in the sciences. She said: "I was nervous and excited. I just wanted to know. My last exam was on June 14 so it's been a very long wait. I'm going out for dinner with my family to celebrate."
Emily Bacon obtained an 8 in Maths and will now study A-Levels at Dover Grammar School for Girls. Brook Williams' best grade was a 7 in Food Technology. She is moving onto Canterbury College where she'll study Animal Management.
Goodwin Academy celebrated an improvement of 10% in the English & Maths grade 4+ basic score.
This highlights the progress made by these departments with Maths increasing their grade 4+ attainment by 11% and English grade 4+ by 7% and grade 5+ by 8%.
Departments whose progress levels were above national average included business studies, health and social care, religious studies, drama, physics and chemistry.
Principal Simon Smith said: “I would like to congratulate all students on the results they have achieved, they must all be very proud of their successes and this reflects their dedication and commitment. It is rewarding to see that the hard work has paid off and I thank all staff for their continued hard work and support.”
St Edmund's RC School, Dover: Harrison Hirst was the second best in progress at this school despite having the barrier of dyslexia.
His results included two grade 5s in art and design and English literature.
Thes are classed as strong passes in the new marking system.
Among his other results were standard passes, grade 4, in history and religious studies.
He said: "I'm surprised because I am challenged as I'm dyslexic.
"So I've had massive support here, which is the best thing. Some teachers give you prizes to challenge you and push your further into doing your best.
"I think that's what got me through the most."
Kasper Marucha made the most progress overall, achieving an average of almost three grades per subject higher than the national average.
His grades included an 8, the second highest, in Polish and three 5s, in religious studies and physics, English literature.
He said: "I passed everything wanted, I am ecstatic. I made amazing progress in my science, having mainly throughout the year not done very well there."
Kasper ultimately aims to be a PE teacher so plans to study sports science at university.
Highest attainers included Olly Gabr-Ryn, who achieved a double grade 9 in combine Science. Grade 9 is the highest in the new marking system.
Genevieve Cock achieved grade 8s for biology and physics and a grade 7 for chemistry and Josie Palmer achieved a grade 8 for Maths.
School principal Mike Wilson said: "We are enormously proud at St Edmund’s to be congratulating all the students today for their hard work and dedication.
" No matter what their results today, we know that they will go on to use their talents to make a fantastic contribution to society and wish them the very best of luck with their chosen paths.
"A big thank you goes to all our staff for the dedication and guidance they have given to their students and the parents and carers who have supported the school over the last 5 years."
Sir Roger Manwood’s School, Sandwich: Students from Sir Roger Manwood’s School are celebrating their hard earned GCSE results with the success from grades across the board.
Both staff and students are pleased with the results.
Pupil Thomas Owen is particularly pleased with his Grade 9 in GCSE Maths and intends to continue at the school to take psychology, chemistry, maths and further maths at A level.
He said: “It’s such a big relief. It’s been kind of stressful the past few days but now I’m quite happy.
“It’s a weight off my shoulders.”
English teacher Kate Emby said: “The students’ work ethic this year has been fantastic, with the new GCSEs there is a lot more pressure.
“They’ve all risen to the challenge and they’ve all worked incredibly hard with their revision.
“We can see a lot of great result from a lot of hard work.”
History teacher Paul Bennett returned for results day in support of the pupils after leaving the school in March.
Head teacher, Lee Hunter said: “We are really proud of the students and actually it is their progress they’ve each made individually overall, when you total that up, is the highest we’ve had in four years
“We’re really proud of their efforts. They’ve got what they deserved.
“These are the new GCSEs which are a lot harder than they used to be but they have risen to the challenge and have set themselves up for the next stage whether it is with us or if they are moving on to do other things.”
This year’s Year 11s are the first of the school’s five form entry year groups to take GCSEs.
A statement from the school said the results are a testament to the hard work of the students and staff, but also the support of their parents.
96.6% of all GCSEs were at grade 4 (equivalent to the old C) or above, and 38% were at grade 7 (equivalent to the old A) or above.
94.8% gained a standard pass (grade 4, which is equivalent to the old C) or above in both maths and English, and 82.5% achieved a good pass (grade 5) or better in both maths and English.
40% of the year group achieved five or more GCSEs at grade 7 or above and 17% achieved eight GCSEs at grade 7 or above.
Other standout statistics include: Five students achieved a grade 8 or 9 in 10 GCSEs, six students achieved a grade 8 or 9 in at least nine GCSEs, seven students achieved a grade 8 or 9 in at least eight GCSEs, 10 students achieved a grade 8 or 9 in at least seven GCSEs,.
12 students achieved a grade 8 or 9 in at least six GCSEs, 20 students achieved a grade 8 or 9 in at least five GCSEs, five students achieved a grade 7 or better in 10 GCSEs.
11 students achieved a grade 7 or better in 10 GCSEs, 16 students achieved a grade 7 or better in at least nine GCSEs, 26 students achieved a grade 7 or better in at least eight GCSEs, 39 students achieved a grade 7 or better in at least seven GCSEs, 53 students achieved a grade 7 or better in at least six GCSEs, 61 students achieved a grade 7 or better in at least five GCSEs.
Dover Grammar School for Girls: A total 61% of pupils gained at least one grade 8 or 9 and 21% of all grades were 8 or or 9.
Also 98% of students gained five or more standard passes.
Head teacher Robert Benson said: "It has been wonderful to see the hard work and dedication of the students pay off and I wish each of them every success as they go forwards.
"I’d like to thank all the staff for their hard work and dedication in supporting the students this year and in helping them achieve the grades they have.”
Assiya Fourkrache got three grade 9s, in French, English literature and English language, an 8 in religious studies, a 7 in German plus four 6s.
She said: "I'm really pleased because I was thinking the worst for all of them."
Isabelle Maggs' top marks were four grade 9s in English language, biology, physics, history and three 8s, in English literature, maths and chemistry.
She said: "I'm really happy with these results. I think I worked reasonably hard and I got what I deserved for the amount of work I put in."
Dover Grammar School for Boys: Strong results were achieved in particular in maths, with 86% of results at grade 5 or higher.
For science it was 84%, art 91%, and PE 85%.
A total 92% of students achieved five or more GCSEs at grade 5 or higher, whilst 88% gained grades 9 to 5 in five subjects and also in both English and maths.
More than a third of students achieved at least three grade 7s or higher, with a quarter achieving at least five grade 7s or more.
Head teacher Philip Horstrup said: "Everyone at Dover Grammar School for Boys would like to congratulate all our Year 11 students for their fantastic achievements at GCSE level.
"Their performance is testament both to their hard work and the excellent teaching they have received."
Astor College, Dover. The school says its results further build on improvements seen in previous years.
This year 40% of students gained grades 4 or more in English and maths compared with 35% in 2018.
For grades 5 or more it was 16% this time against 6% last year.
The Attainment 8 score was 34.56 in 2019 compared with 33.4 in 20218.
Principal Lee Kane said: “Congratulations to all of our students.
"These results reflect five years of determination and commitment to learning alongside the development of skills and qualities that will support their futures.
" We are very proud of each and every one of them."
A special GCSE Results Surgery.
Students from Canterbury College and Broadstairs College, as well as experts and careers advisers will be discussing what options are available to those picking up their results today.
To see how pupils in other parts of Kent did, head to our county-wide live blog
