STUDENTS at Reading School have been congratulated for their academic achievements after it was revealed that 43.1% – more than four in 10 – results were grade 9, the highest possible.
And the year 11 pupils had just one full year of ‘normal’ secondary education before the first covid lockdown.
The school said it had been proud of the students for ‘excelling simultaneously in a wide variety of subjects’: 92% of them studied for at least 10 GCSEs, and 26 students sat 12 subjects.
Electronics returned as a GCSE subject, and more than two-thirds – 68% – achieved a grade 9 or 8, and more than 85% of students sitting English Literature achieved grades 9-7, and 83.9% of maths students achieved grades 9-8.
Three students were recognised by the National Examination boards for obtaining some of the top scores nationally – Daniel S in Ancient History, Oliver M in Chemistry and Nathan W in Economics.
And some students sat AS Levels: there were 21 A grades.
Andrii S, an exchange student from Ukraine, passed his English GCSE, as well as achieving very high grades in Maths and Combined Science.
The school’s headteacher, Ashley Robson, said: “The character and resilience of our students has helped them to deal with the challenges they have faced, resulting in excellent GCSE results.
“We have provided opportunities for them to flourish, and they have responded through nurturing a commitment culture. A culture characterised by a drive for high performance within and beyond the classroom.
“Non-negotiable trademark behaviours including respect, hard work and teamwork have helped to secure positive outcomes.”
He continued: “The purposeful high-performance culture has been enabled by a collaborative approach where students, staff and parents have worked together in partnership. Furthermore, the strategic leadership of the Governing Body, led by Robert Kenwrick, along with the support of the Reading Foundation, has ensured that academic excellence, belonging and community have been priorities throughout the academic year.
“We wish all our students the very best in the onward future journey.”
