GCSE success 2014
Pupils and staff at Eastbourne College are celebrating excellent GCSE results – the strongest outcome since the record was set in 2010. Over the last five years almost two thirds of all GCSE grades achieved by pupils at the College have been A* or A.
This year’s 118 Year 11 pupils achieved a 100% pass rate and all but one achieved five or more A*–C grades, with 29% of all grades at A* and 61% at either A* or A. Seventy-one of the year group (60%) notched up five or more A* and A grades.
Twelve pupils achieved at least 8A*s, with top students Toby Brooks and Tianyu Wang each gaining a clean sweep of 14 A*s. Close behind were Salwa Owasil (13A*), Robert Meikle and Lara Whitmore (12A*), Katie Butler-Manuel (11A*, 1A, 1B), Mia Finnamore (10A*, 1A) and Yolanda Morley (9A*, 3A).
Headmaster Simon Davies reflected:
‘We are delighted with what the girls and boys who took GCSEs in June have achieved by working hard and making the most of the first class teaching and support available to them at the College. Of course it is uplifting to see those who have long lists of A*s after their names, but it is every bit as exciting to see others who have, for instance, 6As and 4Bs and know that this is a triumph for them given their underlying academic ability – the very definition of real and impressive value added! Headline figures are all very well, but what really counts is how each and every young person has done versus their own potential.
Our aim, as a mildly selective school, is to continue to see young people through to results that stack up against those of pupils from much more selective schools. Through a combination of their own efforts, high expectations, and plenty of support and challenge from those who teach and mentor them, very many of this year’s GCSE candidates have done themselves proud.
As well as doing all we can to ensure that our girls and boys perform well in public exams, we work hard to develop young people who will live fulfilled and successful adult lives. We achieve this by means of a very full co-curricular programme and a strong pastoral system that places an emphasis on developing young people’s values. Anyone who employs young people knows that exam grades are one thing; the ability to work hard, make teams work, show integrity, courtesy and kindness to all are another thing altogether.’
