GCSE results 2023: Students at Castle Manor Academy and Samuel Ward Academy, Haverhill, Stour Valley Community School, Clare and Linton Village College praised by their headteachers
Praise for students was in plentiful supply after they collected their GCSE results today.
GCSE students at Castle Manor Academy in Haverhill have been praised after an excellent set of results for the cohort.
School leaders paid tribute to the “resilience and incredible hard work” of students who have achieved the best set of results the school has ever had – despite the fact their Year 11 was their first uninterrupted school year since 2018-19.
After 60 per cent of students achieved grades 4 or above in English and Maths, headteacher Vanessa Whitcombe said: “The class of 2023 should be delighted with their results.
“I am so proud of how hard they have worked and how their maturity, resilience and focus has really developed over the year.
“Our congratulations go to all of them, along with best wishes for their next steps.
“They have been expertly supported by teachers and support staff and of course parents - and I would like to thank everyone involved in helping our students to reach their goals.”
Students at Samuel Ward Academy in Haverhill have been praised after picking up their GCSE results.
Kev Geall, head of school, said: “We would like to congratulate all of our Year 11 students on the hard work, determination and resilience that have led to these results.
“These students have had to overcome so many challenges in recent years and I am delighted that they have developed the skills and qualifications needed for success in the next phase of their lives and beyond.
“Well done to staff and parents for all their efforts in supporting these students in achieving these successes.
“We wish all of our students every success for the future and look forward to welcoming many to Haverhill Community Sixth Form.”
This year, grade boundaries in England were returned to unadjusted pre-pandemic levels and 64 per cent of the school’s students achieved grade 4+ in both English and mathematics.
Ben Cleaver, of Balsham, was a very happy student after learning not only that he had passed eight GCSEs but in particular because he got an eight in physics and a six in both chemistry and biology – the three subjects he will now take at A-level at Haverhill Community Sixth Form.
Ben said: “I’m extremely pleased with that. The only thing I’m not very happy about is maths, but then it is maths – and I hate maths.”
Notable achievements included Alice Griffiths, of Thurlow, who achieved six grade 9s and three grade 8s and will now be heading to Hills Road Sixth Form College in Cambridge to take A-levels in French, German, maths and biology.
She said: “It doesn’t feel real. I thought chemistry would be my worst one but somehow I got a nine, I didn’t think I would.”
Daniel Quarrell, of Haverhill, who achieved three grade 9s and three grade 8s, expressed some relief at his final grades.
Now heading to Haverhill Community Sixth Form to study A-levels in physics, maths and chemistry, Daniel said: "I’m feeling pretty good. I was pretty worried when I came in because I had heard the grade boundaries were going to be super-high but I feel good now. It’s done and all my hard work has paid off.
Megan Edwards who achieved five grade 9s and one grade 8 and three grade 7s, can now look ahead to studying A-levels in biology, PE and psychology at Hills Road.
“I’m very happy. I was nervous but I’m very happy. In English (language and literature), in all my mocks I didn’t get higher than a five and now I’m a seven and an eight.”
Alex De Carvalho also did very well, achieving three grade 9s and four grade 8s.
At Linton Village College, principal, Helena Marsh, expressed her pride for the achievements of the Year 11 students.
She said: “It is great to celebrate the class of 2023 today to recognise their successes.
“I am particularly impressed by those that have made amazing progress in their learning, despite disruption to their secondary education.
“Many of our students have also shown great maturity and fortitude through personal challenges or through making significant contributions to the college community during their time at LVC.”
Alice-Hopewell Plant was the college’s highest performing student this year, achieving grade 9s in 9 of her GCSEs, a grade 7 plus an A grade in her Level 3 free-standing mathematics qualification.
A talented musician and scientist, Alice is progressing to Hills Road Sixth Form College in Cambridge to study maths, further maths, chemistry and physics.
Other high achieving students included head student, Ben Foote plus Rupert Tideswell, Alessia Matarazzo, Isla Linsdell, Felix Hughes and Ceri Kendrick Jones who all averaged grade 8 and 9s across their exams.
Ben and Alessia were also amongst a group of students that achieved exceptional progress across their subjects.
Speaking of the achievements of the Linton Village College cohort, Mrs Marsh said: ‘I’m proud of the Linton Learner qualities of responsibility, independence, care and curiosity that have led to such great achievements from our young people today.
“I wish all students of our students the very best of wishes for the next stage of their learning journey and their lives’.
In Clare, Stour Valley Community School’s class of 2023 collected their GCSE results today.
Headteacher Rachel Kelly said: “We are delighted to see hard work and resilience recognised and we are particularly pleased to see that so many of them made such good progress from their individual starting points, at every level.
“This year group has been through some challenging times as we suffered the tragic deaths of two Y11 students during 2022-23. Our thoughts are also with Haydn and Harley’s families today.”
Some of Stour Valley Community School’s highest achievers gaining mainly 7 – 9 grades were:
Abigail Cole who achieved six 9s, five 8s and a 7; Mabel Stocker who achieved four 9s, three 8s, four 7s; Jordan Newton who achieved three 9s, five 8s, 2 7s; Esther Lawson who achieved three 9s, five 8s, three 7s; Miriam Bursell who achieved two 9s, six 8s, and a 7; Darcy Hertz who achieved one 9, three 8s, five 7s; and Phoebe Day who achieved nine 8s.
All the staff at Stour Valley congratulate each and every one of the Class of 2023 and wish them all the very best for the future as they move onto the next stage of their education, added Mrs Kelly.
