Pupils across Bicester celebrated their GCSE successes today, after their studies were disrupted by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Candidates at schools throughout the town anxiously picked up their results in large, white envelopes this morning (August 25), as more than 60,000 schoolchildren across the rest of Oxfordshire opened theirs.
The pupils’ studies were heavily impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic which saw them face social distancing, lockdowns and remote learning, alongside the uncertainty of whether they would actually take their exams.
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Despite this, senior staff members across Bicester praised pupils for their “resilience” and “determination” during these trying times.
Executive headteacher of The Bicester School, Tony Rushworth, said: “I am delighted at the results that TBS has achieved for 2022 which are better than our pre-pandemic scores in 2019.
“The school has shown a tremendous level of professionalism and resilience in negotiating through the challenges of the pandemic as well as successfully merging the Year 11 students of Bicester Tech onto our school roll.
“I would like to thank our staff and students for all their excellent work this year and wish our class of 2022 students great success in their next step, many of whom will be studying in the new TBS sixth form state of the art building.”
Dr. Rob Whannel, headteacher at The Cooper School said: “I am very proud of our Year 10 and Year 11 students.
“Despite the range of challenges placed upon them during their GCSE courses, they have risen to overcome these obstacles admirably and secured success, not only in their academic attainment, but also in themselves as individuals.
“Students have worked enthusiastically with our amazing staff who have also risen to every challenge put in front of them working with positivity, commitment, humour and determination to ensure every opportunity for success.
“This cohort has needed to deal with significant changes to their courses in short spaces of time; these students have developed courage, determination, independence and dedication and these skills will serve them well in their futures.
“The outstanding results that these students have achieved are genuinely well deserved and we wish them every success in their next steps.”
Across the country, top grades for GCSEs are down on last year – but remain higher than pre-pandemic levels.
Figures published by the Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ) – covering GCSE entries from students predominantly in England, Wales and Northern Ireland – showed top grades of 7/A have fallen from 28.9 per cent in 2021 to 26.3 per cent this year, a drop of 2.6 percentage points.
The proportion of entries receiving a 4/C – considered a pass – dropped from 77.1 per cent in 2021 to 73.2 per cent this year, a fall of 3.9 percentage points, but higher than 67.3 per cent in 2019.
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This story was written by Sophie Perry. She joined the team in 2021 as a digital reporter.
You can get in touch with her by emailing: sophie.perry@newsquest.co.uk
Follow her on Twitter @itssophieperry
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