By LAUREN CODLING
SCHOOL LEAVERS celebrated their GCSE results on Thursday morning (23), as it was revealed overall pass rates had increased despite ‘tougher’ exams.
More than one-fifth of pupils were awarded top marks, with 20.5 per cent taking home either a 7, 8 or 9.
Figures published by the Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ), show pupils who have scored a C or above – or a 4 under the new grading system – has increased by 0.5 per cent.
This is the first time the UK has adopted the 9 to 1 grading system, instead of the typical A*-G results.
Major reforms were initially introduced by former education secretary Michael Gove in 2013, but only implemented this year.
Devina Kaur, 16, and Reiss Lallie, 16, are students from Hydesville Tower School, Walsall who celebrated their achievements.
The pair are due to attend sixth form at Queen Mary’s Grammar School in September.
Kaur told Eastern Eye she experienced a ‘big wave of relief” when she opened her results.
“I was surprised by my results, I thought I’d done a lot worse,” she revealed. “When I came out of the exams, I didn’t feel that confident.”
Her top grades include a grade 9 in Biology and 8s in maths, chemistry, English literature and physics. Looking to the future, Kaur hopes to pursue a career in medicine or specialised paediatrics.
It was announced all pupils at Hydesville achieved a Grade 7 or above in at least one subject, with almost half obtaining the top grade 9.
Lallie’s top grades included a grade 9 in maths, 8 in chemistry, 7 in biology, physics, English language, ICT and French.
He told Eastern Eye the atmosphere as he collected his results was “nerve-wracking”.
“My hands were shaking when I opened the envelope,” he said. “I was really chuffed, but it was quite intimidating as I could see all the envelopes waiting for students to collect them… it was scary finding out my results after working so hard for two years.”
Hoping to pursue a career in air traffic control, Lallie will be studying maths, economics and chemistry in the new term.
The Haberdashers' Aske's Boys' School (Habs) in Hertfordshire also praised their students as they announced 72 per cent of all numerical grades awarded were grade 9.
Overall 97 per cent of Habs pupils achieved a grade 9 or 8, which is equivalent to an A*.
Habs pupil Manav Sharma, who received one grade 9 and 9 A*s, said he was “delighted” his hard work had paid off.
“The reaction of my parents when I opened my results is something I’ll never forget,” he said. “I’d like to thank my teachers at Habs for their support and dedication.”
Students from Queen Elizabeth’s School (QE), north London, announced out of the 1,817 examinations taken at the school, 76.5 per cent were awarded grades 8–9.
This is a 5.4 per cent increase from last year’s 71.1 per cent.
QE headmaster Neil Enright congratulated the students on their achievements.
“Their results are the reward for many months of consistent hard work both on their part and on that of their teachers, who have adapted their teaching splendidly in response to the changes,” he said.
Other figures also showed only 732 pupils in the whole country scored all consistent grade 9s.
Bob Blackman MP speaks during the event