One in five new GCSEs reach the elusive 9 standard at Woldingham School.

24 August 2017

Whilst nationally 3% of the newly reformed GCSE exams were predicted to be graded 9, Woldingham School has achieved 19% of the highest grade.  Seven girls achieved two grade 9s, a result that reflects the highest of academic standards.  The national prediction was that 18% of all grades would be 7 and above; Woldingham’s total is three times the predicted average at 58%. 

In this year of mixed currency grading, all qualifications except English and Maths received the traditional letter grading with A* as the highest grade. Two-thirds of Woldingham girls’ qualifications were graded A*/A, and a third of the year group achieved straight A*-A grades.  Combined with the new exams, over half of the girls achieved seven or more A*-A/9-7 grades.

In total, Woldingham girls notched up over 500 A*-A and 9-7 grades at GCSE.

In the separate GCSE sciences, 70% of results were A* grades.  Approaching half of A Level choices for this cohort will be in science, technology and maths subjects: a great achievement in a girls’ school that takes its commitment to STEM subjects very seriously.

Headmistress, Mrs Alex Hutchinson, said:

“Woldingham girls have been unfazed by the new GCSE grading system and have delivered yet another outstanding set of GCSE results; I am immensely proud of them. It is clear from comparisons between the existing and new grading system that it has, as predicted, been harder to achieve the top grades, and yet our girls have used their intelligence, endeavour and confidence to scoop up the elusive 9 grades. Their ability to manage change, whilst maintaining busy schedules in their full extra-curricular programmes, stands them in great stead for their Sixth Form studies and beyond. ”  

Mrs Alex Hutchinson, Headmistress, is an advocate of an education that encourages all pupils to balance endeavour with wider passions and she ensures that Woldingham provides the opportunity and support for them to do so.  The achievements of this year’s GCSE cohort reflect this ethos.

Olivia Foster, from Leatherhead, has six A*-As in her nine GCSEs – with a full set of A*s in the three sciences – which she has achieved whilst competing for Team GB.  Finishing as the top Giant Slalom skier in the country for her age group, Olivia looks forward to the 2017 season with a place in the Under-21 British Alpine Ski Team.  Last season at Trofeu, of 12 medals won by Team GB, Olivia and her sister won five and Team GB was awarded 2nd place in the competition overall, its best ever performance at an international junior race.

Olivia’s mother, Juliet Foster, said:

“It is difficult combining sport and academic commitments.  The teachers are hugely supportive and give their time freely and readily. Woldingham makes Olivia feel special: she knows that the school is proud of her and that she is encouraged and supported.”

Achieving two 9s and nine A*s, drama scholar, Gabriella Gilliat, from Reigate, combined her studies with performing for West End Kids and Youth Music Theatre UK – alumni include Ed Sheeran, Sam Smith and Call the Midwife’s Charlotte Ritchie.  Gabriella has performed at the Royal Festival Hall, the ExCel Centre and at Windsor for the Queen’s 90th birthday celebrations.

Winifred Wright from Purley was thrilled with her 11 A*-A/ 9-7 tally and can express her delight in a multitude of languages, having gained A* in French, Spanish and Latin and an A in Greek, which she studied as an extra GCSE in addition to the timetabled lessons. For the last couple of years Winifred has made time to volunteer at the Purley Food Hub, a local charity which helps people in crisis who are without food. Winifred raised £4,000 for this worthy cause by organising a swimathon earlier this year and has arranged for it to receive the school’s Harvest Festival produce for the last two years.

Winifred said:

“I was really relaxed about getting my results because I’ve had such a great experience at school.   I’m thrilled with these grades and so excited about moving into the Sixth Form at Woldingham.”

Annabel Wright, Winifred’s mother, said:

“I’m delighted with how Winifred has done and so proud of her calm approach to GCSEs – particularly with all the uncertainty surrounding the new exams.  The school were very clear about preparation and expectation and that made the GCSE year stress-free for both Winifred and her family.”