Students across Shropshire today received their GCSE results, as the first school year since changes to the reporting of results were introduced by the government.

In Telford & Wrekin the proportion of students who attained five GCSE passes at Grade C or better is well above the national average.

Students attending Thomas Telford have created a new record with 100% achieving the benchmark figure of five A* to C including English and Maths. At both Newport Girls High and Adams Grammar, the proportion of students gaining the top grades of A* or A has also risen.

Early analysis of results indicate that while there is an improvement in the rates of progress that students have made during their time in secondary school, there has been a drop in the proportion of students passing in certain subjects, notably mathematics.

Individual school results are varied with notable improvements in the south Telford area where both Madeley Academy and Abraham Darby Academy have achieved their best results ever.

At Hadley Learning Community, the new benchmark figure of the percentage of students making three or more levels of progress has improved significantly with over three quarters of the students gaining this.

Councillor Paul Watling, cabinet member for Children, Young People and Families, said: “I would like to congratulate all the students on their achievements and thank everyone connected with the schools for their hard work.”

Pupils and staff at Shrewsbury High School are celebrating for the second week running after another outstanding rise in GCSE exam pass rates. As national reports suggest top grades are more difficult to achieve, the senior girls at the school were thrilled as 62.4% of all grades achieved an A*/A grade. This significant increase raises further the already high standards for which the school is renowned. Headmaster, Michael Getty commented “These stunning results, and the increase in top grades at GCSE that the girls have achieved is incredibly impressive and is all the more overwhelming as it comes so soon after the school established new records with its A level results last week.”

With a 100% pass rate, almost 90% of Adcote pupils have achieved the equivalent of at least 5 passes at grades A*-C in their GCSE and iGCSE results. At Adcote School many subjects have been examined at IGCSE, which is widely considered more academically rigorous than GCSE.

The highest award of A* at GCSE and iGCSE, has been achieved across the full range of twenty-six subjects offered, including Mathematics, Further Maths, English and the Sciences. Of the many individual results, Deputy Head Girl Elect Olga Unigovska achieved an incredible 10 A* at A Level, and an equivalent of 16 GCSEs.

Headmaster Gary Wright commented “These are excellent results and I congratulate the girls on their deserved success and their teachers for their hard work.”

“Every year, pupils at Adcote achieve some outstanding public examination results and rank highly in league tables.”

“Nationally Adcote School has built on its past achievements and is consistently in the top tier for both A level and GCSE results.”

“However, academic success is only one part of life at Adcote and our pupils also take an active part in Adcote’s programme of sport, music, drama and extra-curricular activities.”

Over 220 students are today receiving GCSE results at The Marches School in Oswestry and the outcome is record breaking! This year’s results are the school’s BEST EVER and testament to the outstanding all-round education students receive, most notably in the core subjects of English and Maths. The number of students achieving 5 or more A* – C grades, including English and Maths today stands at an impressive 74%.

Elated students and staff today celebrated as results shone across the spectrum. 74% of students achieved 5 or more A* – C grades, including English and Maths, 99% of students were celebrating achieving at least 5 GCSE passes and all 100% of students achieved at least 1 A* – C grade. Focusing on the core subjects, an outstanding 80% of students achieved an A* – C in English and 79% in Maths, a remarkable achievement.

Headteacher, Mrs Sarah Longville, comments, “Our motto at The Marches is ‘Achievement through caring’ and our results are testament to this. We are a truly comprehensive school and these results prove that we deliver a curriculum to suit all abilities; stretching and challenging the most able, whilst supporting and nurturing all students to achieve their personal best. This has been an exceptionally talented year group who have fully met, and in many cases, exceeded our expectations. Revision sessions and grade improvement activities were always well attended, demonstrating students’ commitment and dedication to their education.

These exceptional results are a tribute to the incredible hard work and dedication of the students, staff, parents and governing body. I am so proud of everyone for what they have achieved; they thoroughly deserve these outstanding results and I offer my warmest congratulations. Well done class of 2014, you have truly done yourselves proud!”

Head of Sixth Form, Miss Claire Buckle adds, “These excellent results are the platform for students to continue their educational careers in the Sixth Form. These high achieving students have a wealth of talent and proven academic ability. We are very excited about the next steps for these students and supporting them as they prepare for University and future success.”

Shrewsbury School is celebrating another strong year of GCSE results, with 65% of the exams awarded an A* or A grade. Among the many individual successes, particular congratulations are due to the six pupils who gained ten straight A* grades, and to the 35 pupils (more than a quarter of those taking the exams) who gained either A* or A grades in all their subjects.
 
Headmaster Mark Turner was delighted with the excellent results of his GCSE pupils. “We support and challenge every pupil at Shrewsbury to achieve their personal best and these results are a real credit to the effort they have put in to their studies, to the dedication of all our staff and the support of parents.”

Speaking about the publication of GCSE results today, Councillor Ann Hartley, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for children’s services, said:

“We would like to congratulate pupils on their success. Their achievements are testament to how diligently they have prepared for their examinations and the hard work that they put into their studies. We would also like to thank all who are part of our school communities and who have provided much needed support and direction for pupils, including their teachers and headteachers, parents and carers.

“This is such an important time for young people as they progress from school to continued education at school or college, an apprenticeship or traineeship, or part-time education or training. We wish all of Shropshire’s pupils every success in the future.”