GCSE results: Some ‘outstanding’ achievements in Richmond

In the biggest shake-up of exams for a generation, pass rates dipped over all as students faced tougher exams.

Under the overhaul, traditional A* to G grades are being gradually replaced in England with a 9 to 1 system.

Some exceptional results came out of Richmond, with an outstanding 93 per cent of students scoring top GCSE results at Waldegrave School, putting it among the top performing in the country.

The Twickenham school saw the majority of its students achieve grades 4 or above, the equivalent to A* to C, in five subjects or more including English and Maths.

Half of all grades achieved were either A* or A, with 28 students achieving at least ten passes at A/A* or equivalent.

Jessica Lawrence scored straight A*s in every subject.

She said: “I didn't expect to do quite as well, and because I was predicted A*s or 9s across the board it really put the pressure on. I am so pleased.”

Students at Grey Court School open their results

Over 80 per cent of students at Grey Court School achieved five or more ‘Good’ pass grades.

A/A* grades were “exceptionally high” at about 45 per cent and there were 100 per cent pass rates for the biology, chemistry and physics departments.

Student Grace Hennessy, who achieved the top grades in every subject, said after opening her results “I’m shaking. It’s like a dream come true.”

Students at St Catherine's delighted with their results

Overall 60 per cent of grades were A* or A at St Catherine's school in Twickenham with 50 per cent of girls achieving eight or more A * or A grades each.

A whopping 98 per cent of the student scooped five or more A* to C grades.

Sister Paula Thomas, the head mistress, said: “I’m so proud of them all.”

Heather Hanbury, head mistress of Lady Eleanor Holles school, in Hampton was "absolutely thrilled" with another "stellar" year for the girls.

Overall 94 per cent of exam results scored an A or A* with over a third of students achieving grade 9 in the new English Language and Literature GCSE exams.

The head mistress said: "Every year the girls manage to make us proud; I am absolutely thrilled by their achievements.”

Orleans Park, on Richmond road, exceeded the school's best results with a record number of students achieving top grades this year.

A third of student grades across the year scored A* to A and 9 to 7 with 78 per cent of students achieved five A* to C grades.

Nicolas Crifasi and Rhiannon O'Connor scooped a clean sweep of top grades and Ben Nicholls - Mindlin, Rowan Fenby, Claudie Farr, Ben Ford, Hannah Rae, Charlotje Shillingford- Laus picked up at least eight A* or 9 to 8 grades each.

Hampton School, on Hanworth road, broke school records with 93 per cent of all grades scoring A* or A and 47 boys achieving a clean sweep of A* grades.

Headmaster Kevin Knibbs warmly congratulated the boys and has praised them for both their academic excellence and success out of the classroom.

James Thompson, captain of the U16 rugby team - who won the 2017 Middlesex cup returned from rugby tour in Canada the day before he scooped 10 A*.

The rugby captain said: “It has been a long wait but it is incredible to get such good news. It is a relief to know that all my hard work has paid off.”

Three Hampton rowers, Oli Woodall, Oli Bridge and Bill Downey, who represented Great Britain on the water in July winning the France versus GB International, all secured 10 A*s to top off their success.

Pupils at Teddington School, on Broom road, accomplished the school’s best GCSE results this year with 85 per cent achieving a grade 4+ in English and maths.

Jacob Berry and Freya Thomson achieved at least seven A*s and grade 9s each in both English and mathematics and Callum Hyder and Anna Johns scooped grade 9s in both English and maths in addition to their seven As and A*s.

Headteacher, John Wilkinson, said, “I am delighted for the students and staff who have worked so hard to achieve the best ever results for the school.

“It has been a tough two years for all schools teaching new specifications.”

Christ's school, on Queen's road, were also celebrating a year of record breaking results with 25 per cent of the students scooping five or more 9 to 7 grades or A* to A and 15 per cent scoring a grade 9 in the new English and Maths exams.

Helen Dixon, head teacher, said: "I am delighted that our relentless drive for excellence is paying dividends with 10 subjects increasing their percentage of A*-A (9-7) grades and 7 subjects achieving over 90% A*-C (9-4) grades.

“We are particularly delighted with the outstanding results of Molly Taylor who achieved nine A*s and one A grade, Sabrina Robinson with eight A*s and two As and Stephen Frank and Ned Knight with seven A*s and three As each.”

Twickenham Academy, on Percy Road, had 55 per cent of students picking up five A* to C grades and 14 per cent scooping grades A* to A.

Headteacher Assal Ruse said: "I am delighted for the students and staff who have worked incredibly hard to achieve these results with all new examinations.

"These results reflect the hard work of students and the professional commitment of all of our teaching and support staff at Twickenham School."

Hampton High saw an increase in GCSE passes in the first year of the new numerical grading system with 66 per cent of pupils scoring a grade 4+ in Maths and English.

Megan Huntingford who took home a 9, two A*s, three As, a B and two 7s, said: "I feel very relieved. At first I didn't think I had the right results! When I first started GCSEs I felt confident but as it got close I wasn't so sure."

Richmond Park Academy, on Park Avenue, outperformed its results last year securing a 69 per cent pass rate with 21 per cent of the students achieving 7+ in English and 141 student scooping A* to A grades.

Jay Ayliffe picked up three 9s, five A*s and two As with peer Ella Hahlo gaining an A*, six As, one 7 and Taliesin and Samuel Consentino-Hunter totalling four A*s, six As, one 9, three 8s, two 7s, two Bs and a C between them.