Teenagers celebrate GCSE results in Thetford, Brandon, Mildenhall and Methwold
IES Breckland GCSE students with principal Alison Tilbrook. Picture: Rebecca Murphy - Credit: Archant
There were big smiles, expressions of surprise and tears of joy as pupils opened their GCSE results today.
Natalia Sychowska, a pupil at IES Breckland, was pleased with her results. Picture: Rebecca Murphy - Credit: Archant
Schools in Thetford, Brandon, Mildenahall and Methwold all recorded pleasing results despite a shake-up in exams, with a numerical scale replacing traditional letter grades a focus away from coursework and onto exams.
IES Breckland pupil Jasmine Brown said she was overwhelmed with her GCSE results. Picture: Rebecca Murphy - Credit: Archant
Brandon
At IES Breckland the percentage of students who achieved at least a grade four in English and maths was 62pc, a 10pc increase on last year.
Pupil Natalia Sychowska achieved a six in English language despite only moving to the school two years ago and not speaking English.
IES Breckland students Chloe Bilverstone, Jorge Lee-Small and Jade Nelson, with their GCSE results. Picture: Rebecca Murphy - Credit: Archant
The 17-year-old said she was proud of herself.
“I was not expecting a six in English language,” she said.
IES Breckland student Will Pik is off to Downham Market Academy sixth form. Picture: Rebecca Murphy - Credit: Archant
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Jasmine Brown, from Mundford, is off to study biology, psychology and maths A-levels at either King Edward sixth form in Bury St Edmunds or Hills Road Sixth Form College in Cambridge.
Pupils from IES Breckland after picking up their GCSE results. Picture: Rebecca Murphy - Credit: Archant
The 16-year-old achieved one nine, three eights, four sevens, an A and two Bs.
“I never expected that at all,” she said of her results. “I did not think I would do that well. I’m feeling a bit overwhelmed really.”
Jack Wilson, IES Breckland student, was pleased with his GCSE results which included two eights in science. Picture: Rebecca Murphy - Credit: Archant
Chloe Bilverstone, 16, is off to King Edward sixth form to study psychology, sociology and philosophy and ethics.
IES Breckland pupil Emily Muteham is going to King Edwards sixth form in Bury St Edmunds. Picture: Rebecca Murphy - Credit: Archant
“I am really happy and proud of myself for how far I cam from the mock exams,” she said. “I am most proud of Geography as I never passed before and got a 7 this time. I also got an eight in English language.”
Students Laura Tapp, Evan Williams, Filip Jonga and Feba Abraham celebrate their GCSE results outside Mildenhall College Academy. Picture: Mildenhall College Academy - Credit: Archant
Will Pik got two nines in combined science and an eight in maths and further maths. He is off to Downham Market Academy sixth form with a view to head on to medical school.
He said: “ I have done really well. I’m feeling really ecstatic and pleased.”
Mildenhall College Academy students opening their GCSEs. Picture: Mildenhall College Academy - Credit: Archant
Mildenhall College Academy students Evan Williams, Sean Husband and Filip Jonga, celebrate their GCSE results. Picture: Mildenhall College Academy - Credit: Archant
Principal Alison Tilbrook was full of praise for the students.
She said: “This is the best and the loveliest cohort I have had the privilege to work with.
“I am beyond proud of how well they have done. I am sure that this group are really going to have productive lives and give back to society and they deserve all the success they have.”
Mildenhall College Academy students Annie Hampton and Joshua Balls following their GCSE results. Picture: Mildenhall College Academy - Credit: Archant
She added: “It is an amazing school and there is a massive sense of community and the students know the staff want the best for them.”
Mildenhall College Academy students opening their GCSEs. Picture: Mildenhall College Academy - Credit: Archant
Methwold
At the Iceni Academy, Methwold, 66pc of students achieved at least a grade four in English and maths, a 1pc rise on 2017.
Iceni Academy pupils picking up their GCSE results. Picture: Iceni Academy - Credit: Archant
Principal Stephen Plume said: “This is a great set of results and absolutely deserved by our hard working students.
“Supported by our enthusiastic staff and parents, year 11 really have sustained their effort all year and are now seeing the rewards for their determination.
“We are particularly pleased with the increase in the number of top grades being awarded.”
Iceni Academy pupils picking up their GCSE results. Picture: Iceni Academy - Credit: Archant
Iceni Academy pupils picking up their GCSE results. Picture: Iceni Academy - Credit: Archant
Thetford
Principal Dan Carter praised the dedication of students and staff at Thetford Academy where 42pc of students achieved at least a grade four in English and maths - 9pc down on last year.
“Since joining the academy I have been very impressed with the dedication of our students and staff, and we have seen that in many results - particularly in languages where 50pc of pupils received a grade 7 or higher in Spanish, alongside strong results in French, Portuguese, and Polish,” he said.
“Several students got the new top grade 9 in multiple subjects, including Holly Scott, Skaiste Ivanaviciute, Milda Siauciulyte, and Mollie Hammond.”
At Thetford Grammar School, 100pc of students achieved at least a grade four in English and maths, which was 5pc up on last year.
Headteacher Michael Brewer said: “We would like to congratulate all Thetford Grammar School students who have received their GCSE results today. “In amongst excellent results are many stories of individual successes, with pupils accomplishing the highest possible personal goals.
“It is a pleasure to share in these journeys and to see the positive impact that attending Thetford Grammar School has had on pupils’ attainment.”
Mildenhall
Mildenhall College Academy saw 175 students sit their GCSEs this year, with 54pc achieving a grade four or higher in English and maths.
Cain Shipp made the greatest progress out of all of the school’s students, despite suffering a bereavement during the exams.
He achieved eight GCSEs at grades four to nine, including a 7 in history and A* in finance.
Michael Geary had to have a reduced timetable due to the pain he experienced from a long standing medical condition, but achieved 9 GCSEs at Grades four to nine.
And Bianca Willis, achieved 10 GCSEs at grades four to nine, with nines in English literature and Spanish and an eight in English language.
Principal Susan Byles said: “I have never known a cohort of students work so hard in preparing to take so many exams.
“The students have done incredibly well, matching the achievements of last year’s cohort who only had to take the new GCSEs in English and Maths.
“This cohort sat the new GCSEs in every one of their subjects and the students were exhausted by the time they completed all of the examinations in the series. Their results do them credit.”
She added: “When I consider everything that these young people were having to cope with I am full of admiration for the results they achieved. Their resilience and perseverance is second to none.”
