Today is GCSE results day and pupils in schools across Wokingham borough – and just over the border – are celebrating their grades.

We’ll be bringing you updates from the schools as we get them.

Bulmershe School

STUDENTS of a Woodley school have been praised for “an impressive achievement” according to its headteacher.

Grades at Bulmershe School placed it within the top 25% of schools across the country, with a number of subjects offering results in this band.

These include Art, Technology 3D Design, Technology 3D Graphics, Business Studies, Computer Science, Drama, English Language, Geography, Italian, Portuguese, Religious Studies, Russian and Statistics.

Amanda Woodfin said her pupils had shown resilience as they had coped with the disruption to their learning due to covid.

“Your results are outstanding. You are all exceptional, inspiring and talented young people, and we couldn’t be prouder of you,” she said to them.

“Enjoy the moment, savour your success. There are few times in life when you’ll put as much work into a single accomplishment as you have done for these results.

“Be proud, you deserve it for all the effort and commitment you invested during incredibly challenging circumstances.”

Ms Woodfin said the school was proud of all its students, and highlighted the achievements of the following pupils:

• Lilla – nine grade 9s at GCSE and one grade 8
• Aishanni – nine grade 9s and one grade 8
• Oscar – eight grade 9s, one grade 8 and one grade 7
• Abigail – seven grade 9s, two grade 8s and one grade 7
• Abbie – six grade 9s, one grade 8 and one grade 7
• Airah – five grade 9s, three grade 8s and two grade 7s
• Harish – five grade 9s, one grade 8s, one grade 7 and two grade 6s
• Bushra – three grade 9s and five grade 8s
• Zoe – three grade 9s, five grade 8s and one grade 6
• Charlotte – three grade 9s, six grade 8s and one grade six
• Felipe – three grade 9s, four grade 8s, two grade 7s and one grade 6
• Kathryn – three grade 9s, one grade 8, four grade 7s and two grade 6s
• Olivia – three grade 9s, two grade 8s, three grade 7s, one grade 6 and one grade 5
• Emily – two grade 9s, four grade 8s, two grade 7s and two grade 6s
• Emilie – two 9s, four 8s, two 7s, one 6 and one 5
• Keira H – two grade 9s, seven grade 8s and one grade 6
• Poppy – two grade 9s, two grade 7s, four grade 6s and two grade 5s
• Holly – two grade 9s, two grade 8s, four grade 7s, one grade 6 and one grade 5
• Aeila – two grade 9s, one grade 8 and three grade 6s

Airah made the most progress since joining the school, making over four grades of progress across all subjects. “Truly amazing,” Ms Woodfin said.

Sanaa, Harish, Keira H, Zoe, Rishabh, Kathryn, Andrea, Felipe, Aishaani, Cameron, Freya, Ibrahim, Charlotte, Sau Wen, Sarah, Daniella, Luis, Chloe, Sahil, Adam, Rachel and Lilla all made two or more grades worth of progress across all their subjects since joining the school.

“Well done, a fantastic achievement,” Ms Woodfin said.

“We look forward to welcoming Year 11 into our sixth form and continuing to work with you,” Ms Woodfin said.

“ For those that are leaving us, we thank you for your many contributions to school life here at Bulmershe. I wish you the best in all of your future endeavours.”

Denefield School

STUDENTS at a Tilehurst school have been congratulated for a set of results judged to be ‘outstanding’.

Denefield, in Long Lane, said that almost a third (32%) achived grades 9-7, 71% had 9-5 grades, 84% 9-4, and 99.8% received grades between 9-1.

And there was similar successes in the vocational subjects, with all students achieving an L1 pass, 94% had an L2 Distinction*-Pass grade.

There were 59% of students achieving L2 Distinction* to merit grades, and 39% L2 Distinction*-Distinction passes.

Edwin Towill, the head of Denefield School said: “Today is all about destinations and we are excited that our students are able to move into the next stage of their lives with confidence and resilience.

“It is wonderful to see so many of our students wishing to return to Denefield Sixth Form, with others starting exciting new college courses, apprenticeships or training.”

Denefield’s top achievers this year are:

• Anna F who achieved 10 GCSEs Grade 9, BTEC L2 Distinction*

• Katie G who achieved 8 GCSEs Grade 9, 1 Grade 8, BTEC L2 Distinction*

• Frankie B who achieved 8 GCSEs Grade 9, 2 Grade 8

• Alisha C who achieved 8 GCSEs Grade 9, 2 Grade 8

• Dylan T who achieved 7 GCSEs Grade 9, 3 Grade 8

• Momina Y who achieved 4 GCSEs Grade 9, 3 Grade 8, 1 Grade 7, BTEC L2 Distinction

• Judith H who achieved 4 GCSE Grade 9, 4 Grade 8, 2 Grade 7

• Sophie W who achieved 3 GCSE Grade 9, 5 Grade 8, 2 Grade 7

• Lucas T who achieved 2 GCSE Grade 9, 3 Grade 8, 1 Grade 7, 1 Grade 6, 2 BTEC L2 Distinction*

• Josh C who achieved 3 GCSE Grade 9, 3 Grade 8, 4 Grade 7

• Alex H who achieved 4 GCSE Grade 9, 2 Grade 8, 1 Grade 7, 2 Grade 6

Little Heath School

STUDENTS at Little Heath School were among those collecting their GCSE results on Thursday, August 25.

Headteacher David Ramsden said: “I am delighted that students from the Class of 2022 have achieved the success that they so richly deserve.

“Right from the start, when they joined the school in Year 7, five years ago, they have been a hard-working and determined year group.

“In the past 2 and a half years this cohort of students have experienced a Key Stage 4 programme like no other, yet they have demonstrated resilience and commitment to achieve their very best throughout their GCSE courses.

“This was particularly evident in their approach to remote learning during the national lockdowns and when they returned to school.

“As a Year group they have showed tenacity and a determination to achieve their very best, under uniquely difficult circumstances, and the results today have demonstrated what a talented group they are.”

A number of students were highlighted for achieving outstanding results, including Mushin I, who achieved ten Grade 9s and a Grade 8, and Thea W, who achieved seven Grade 9s and four Grade 8s.

Theale Green School

STUDENTS from Theale Green School celebrate “outstanding” results as they collect their grades on the morning of Thursday, August 25.

Theale Green School reported that one third of students taking French GCSE achieved the top grades of 8 or 9.

The school said in a statement that it was: “So proud of all our students who have shone in so many different ways in their time with us, not just academically, but in sports, arts and by being active members of the school community.

“This outstanding set of results are entirely a reflection of the incredible progress seen at Theale Green School over recent years.”

Executive Principal of Theale Green School, Joanna Halliday, said: “These outstanding results are a reflection of the dedication that both students and staff have shown.

“During the course of the year we have received national awards for sport, had the most amazing OFSTED report, been visited by the Secretary of State.

“We’ve seen our Year 13 go off to wonderful destinations and now these GCSE results for our brilliant Year 11 feel like the cherry on top of the cake for the young people and for our community.

“A longstanding member of staff said to me today, ‘I’ve waited twelve years to come in to a set of results like this!’ It is a huge privilege to be part of this wholesale transformation and to see the success of each individual student”

Head of School, Charlotte Badarello who has led the transformational changes in the curriculum, said: “We are so excited to now welcome this year group into our sixth form.

“They have been role model students throughout the last two years, and they have been nothing but a pleasure for all of us to work with.

“We are immeasurably proud of their incredible success, which has come through hard work and a hugely positive attitude – many congratulations to them all.”

Piggott

PIGGOTT School followed up their splendid A Level results last week with another outstanding set of GCSEs.

In English language, 94 percent of pupils passed, while mathematics boasted a 95 percent pass rate at Level 4 or above.

Students enjoyed 100 percent pass rates in the following subjects: art and design, biology, chemistry, Chinese, dance, French, further maths, music, physics and statistics.

Pass rates achieved in all other subjects were above 80 percent, with computer science (97 percent), media studies (96 percent), Spanish (95 percent), history (94 percent), German (92 percent) and English literature (92 percent) students enjoying particularly notable results.

The vast majority of students will be returning in September to continue their studies in Sixth Form.

The Piggott School Sixth Form is a centre for academic, applied general and technical learning.

A spokesperson for the school said: “Our students and staff have worked incredibly hard and this year’s results are a testament to this.

“[Head Teacher] Mr Gray thanks all the teaching and support staff for their continued dedication and professionalism.

“Congratulations to all our students on their richly deserved success and thank you to all of their parents for their unstinting support.”

UTC Reading

YEAR 11 students at UTC Reading are collecting their GCSE results on Thursday, August 25.

Executive Principal of UTC Reading, Jonathan Nicholls, said: “What an important moment this is for our Year 11 students today.

“Having joined the UTC in September 2020 at the end of the first national lockdown, these students adapted to the UTC brilliantly and despite the ongoing disruption of the last two years have demonstrated resilience, flexibility and focus throughout their time with us.

“We have students that have achieved results that really do reflect the fact that they have done the best they can, with what they have got, in the moment they are in.”

He said that while examinations and end-of-point assessments come with huge pressure for young people, “they have risen to the challenge brilliantly.

“I am really proud that through their achievements they have secured places either to continue with us at the UTC in our sixth form or to continue their education with other schools and colleges to follow different subject specialisms.

“Some students have secured opportunities to start apprenticeships programmes.

“I am proud of each of the students for the journey they have been on, what they have achieved and am excited about where this experience will take them next and wish them all the best for the future.”

LVS Ascot

YEAR 11 students at LVS Ascot have collected their GCSE results on Thursday, August 25.The independent day and boarding school saw an overall pass rate for GCSE students of 92%.It also reported a 100% pass rate in English, Maths, and Triple Science, and a 100% pass rate in BTECs.

School Principal, Christine Cunniffe, said “We are delighted with the GCSE results this year, it is a testament to the brilliant work of our staff and pupils at LVS Ascot”.

Angelina, who achieved all 7s and above said “It was so nice to come into school to collect my results and share the moment with my teachers and classmates. I was thrilled with my results and I’m looking forward to starting sixth form at LVS Ascot.”

Archie, from Windsor said “I worked so hard to make sure I did all the right preparation and I’m so happy that this paid off with my results. I wish everyone the best in their next steps.”

Maiden Erlegh

MAIDEN ERLEGH students and staff celebrated a stellar set of GCSE results on Thursday, August 25.

In the core subjects, 72 percent of students achieved at least a grade 4 in English and maths, with 54 percent obtaining a grade or higher in both subjects.

Overall, 62 percent of grades were between grades 5-9, which are classified as strong passes.

Candidates also showcased strength in a range of subjects, boasting an ‘attainment 8’ score of 50.8.

The school said early indications suggest its grades ‘compare favourably’ with the national picture.

Headteacher Mr Johnson said: “On behalf of our school community at Maiden Erlegh School in Reading, I want to offer my huge congratulations to our students who received their public examination results today.

“These excellent results mark the culmination of years of study and hard work, and I am so

pleased that so many of our students have received appropriate recognition for their efforts.

“I would also like to take the opportunity to thank the staff team for their hard work and

commitment to supporting our students towards their success.”

Mr Johnson acknowledged the exceptional circumstances this year group has faced and said they deserved particular praise for the ‘resilience and commitment’ they have developed and shown.

He finished by wishing the students well in their next school, college or training placement and beyond.

Red Balloon Reading

Students at local education charity Red Balloon are celebrating after receiving what the trust says is another fantastic set of GCSE results.

Of its children who took GCSE English Language, all received grades 4 to 9 (the old grades C to A*), and 83% achieved the same in Maths.

They gained a whole host of other qualifications alongside.

Red Balloon is a network of small academic and therapeutic Centres supporting children who are absent from school because of bullying or some other trauma in their lives.

Red Balloon focuses on wellbeing, education, and social re-engagement to help students gain the skills and confidence they need to reintegrate with their peers.

Many of the young people at Red Balloon have worked to overcome immense challenges such as post-traumatic stress disorder, severe anxiety, loss of confidence and agoraphobia, which have often left them unable to attend school for months or even years.

A spokesperson said: “Overcoming those obstacles is what makes these exam results so incredible.”

Waingels College

WAINGELS has reported above average attainment of grades of 7+, as students collect GCSE results.

It announced that it was “delighted” for all of its Year 11 students and their families after “wonderful” results.

It says that 78% of students achieved grade 4 or higher, and just under 30% achieved grade 7+, which is above the national average.

Head of School, Lindsey Humber said: “We are so very proud of all the work and achievements of our Year 11 students, especially after such a difficult and disrupted two years.

“I am thankful to all of our teachers and support staff who have worked tirelessly to ensure students have the grades they need for their next steps in their education.

“I’d also like to take this opportunity to thank our parents and the community for their ongoing support, recognising the strong partnership we have which supports students to reach their full potential.”

In a statement released by Waingels, the school said: “For all, these results are the accumulation of five years of study, learning and hard work.

“We are grateful for everything that this year group have given to our school; we wish them well as they embark on the next chapter of their lives especially to those students who will be taking up college courses with our local providers.”