Today, outstanding GCSE results were revealed as students opened their envelopes.
An impressive 42% of all grades awarded were 9s and 42 students collected their envelopes to discover that they had achieved nine or more 9–8 grades – an exceptional accomplishment. Overall, 74% of all grades were at 9–8 and 92% were 9–7.
Headmistress Rebecca Dougall said, “I feel so fortunate to have this morning’s stellar GCSE results as my final official duty at St Helen’s. These are a remarkable set of results achieved by a great year group who deserve every element of these successes. They have been supported by an extraordinary group of teachers along the way and the joy on faces this morning – parents included – will live long in my memory. What a platform for Sixth Form success and happiness!” Mrs Dougall will retire at the end of August and will be succeeded by Sarah Rollings in September.
STEM remains strong with more than 55% of scientists achieving grade 9 across Biology, Chemistry and Physics as separate or in combined sciences. This comes as no surprise as the sciences are among the most popular A level options at St Helen and St Katharine Sixth Form next year.
Sophie, who achieved a staggering ten grade 9s, shared her thoughts, “I’m so relieved. Some subjects seemed impossible, but the school has supported me through everything. There are no limits to what a girl can do in a single-sex environment – you can do anything!” Her mother, Ruth, added, “The school ethos is ‘just go for it’ – teachers are incredibly supportive and every student feels appreciated.” Sophie will go on to study A levels in Maths, Further Maths, Physics and Economics, with plans to pursue Economics at university and a future career in finance and private equity.
Emma, who has recently returned from St Helen and St Katharine’s first-ever football tour to Sweden where she enjoyed playing competitive games and meeting other young people from across the world, told us, “I’m still in shock. I’m really happy and pleased that all my hard work has paid off. My teachers are so supportive and they’re always there for me.” After celebrating her ten grade 9s, Emma is looking forward to taking the next step into SHSK Sixth Form to study Maths, Chemistry, Geography and Politics.
Humanities subjects also did brilliantly across the board with 46% of Music students, 53% of Religious Studies students, 59% of French students and 50% of Classical Greek students achieving grade 9 – and in both English language and English Literature, 45% of students were awarded grade 9.
Sofia, who also achieved a clean sweep of grade 9s, reflected on her journey, “I am very happy with my results. It’s been such a journey. The school helped diagnose my dyslexia in Year 9 – this turned things around for me, transformed my approach to studying and gave me confidence to succeed.” Her parents, Michele and Michael, added, “The teachers have gone above and beyond – and taken time to get to know Sofia well.”
Juliette was also very happy with her results and excited to soon be joining SHSK Sixth Form. Her mother, Isabelle, said, “Happy kids do well. St Helen’s has given lots of support and there are always people to talk to if something goes wrong. The fantastic pastoral support facilitates excellent academic outcomes – which is what we have seen evidenced today with Juliette’s excellent results.”
The students are now ready to swap revision notes for festival vibes, as many of them make their way to Reading Festival to celebrate their results.
