Thousands of students in and around Tunbridge Wells will find out their GCSE results tomorrow (Thursday August 24), following the announcement of A-Level results last week.
The A-Level students performed extremely well, despite this being the first public exams this cohort had ever sat – their GCSE exams were cancelled due to the disruption caused by Covid.
After an increase in top A-Level grades in 2020 and 2021 led by teachers providing estimated grades, the grading this year returned to pre-pandemic marking.
Skinners’ School Headmaster Edward Wesson said: “There has very clearly been a return, without much compromise, to pre-pandemic scores.
“This makes sense, except for the fact that this cohort did not have the experience of sitting GCSEs in 2021: these are the first public exams they have done.”
In southeast England, 30.3 per cent of students were awarded top grades (A*/A), and 97.5 per cent were awarded A*-E.
At Mascalls Academy in Paddock Wood, most of its cohort have been offered a place at their first-choice university and many have secured apprenticeships.
Kent College, Pembury, said 97 per cent received their first or second choice.
Staff across Tunbridge Wells said they were incredibly proud of their students’ results, given the disruption to years of their schooling.
Tunbridge Wells Grammar School for Boys’ Headteacher Amanda Simpson said: “I am proud of all our students’ achievements and this year’s results are no exception.
“They have worked incredibly hard and been rewarded with what they need for their next steps in life”.
At St Gregory’s Catholic School overall 71 per cent of students secured A*-C grades with a 99 per cent pass rate, while 44 per cent of students sitting BTECs received the equivalent of A*/A grades with a 100 per cent pass rate.
Angela Morrissey, Head of Sixth Form, said: “These results are testament to all the students and their dedicated teachers. We are thrilled for them all and proud of all they have achieved.”
Skinners’ School saw 76 per cent of grades at A*-B and 20 per cent at A*.
Tunbridge Wells Girls’ Grammar School increased its A/A* pass rate from 2019 to 44.4 per cent.
Independent boarding school Benenden School also increased its A/A* grades to 57 per cent – up from 55 per cent in 2019.
Uplands Academy also continued with an upward trend, with over two-thirds of entries achieving a grade C or higher.
Mayfield said it had a 100 per cent pass rate and over half the grades awarded were A* or A.
