EARLY signs from this year’s GCSEs submitted by schools shows Wirral students have achieved excellent exam results.

 

Councillor Tony Smith, Wirral’s cabinet member for children’s services and lifelong learning, said: ‘Wirral’s young people have demonstrated yet again their determination to work hard and do well.

"These results are a great credit to them and everybody who supported them, and they provide a strong platform to take advantage of opportunities in further and higher education, as well as in the world of work.

 

" I congratulate the students on these impressive successes’.

 

Julia Hassall, acting director of Wirral’s children and young people’s department, said: ‘Once again, congratulations are due to all those involved in contributing to these excellent results: parents, carers, school staff, governors and, most of all, the young people themselves.

"These results are a testament to the hard work and ability of the students and the quality of support they have received."

65.3% of Wirral’s secondary students achieved the national benchmark of five or more A*-C including English and mathematics, which is up on last year’s result of 64%. 88% achieved five or more A*-C GCSE results, which is 3% up on last year’s figure of 85%. 22.7% of students achieved the English Baccalaureate, compared with 21.5% in 2011. 77% of all GCSE entries earned grades A*-C, compared with 69.4% for the UK.

 

After eight consecutive years of improvement Bebington High Sports College maintained its record results, with 90% of students gaining five A*- C grades.

 

Among the high-flyers was achievements Thomas Bone who was awarded 3A*s, 3As, 6Bs and 1C plus C grade in AS English.

 

Headteacher Brian Jordan said: “These results again emphasise how well our students can achieve, I feel proud and privileged to be able to work in a school that cares enormously for its students and where the staff demonstrate outstanding dedication.”

 

Weatherhead High School also reported that their students excelled and broke all records at the school with more than 90% of pupils scoring A* - C.

 

Headteacher Neil Dyment congratulated all students on their outstanding success and said: “They have worked ever so hard and have been rewarded for their efforts. In addition, I would like to thank all the staff at Weatherhead who have supported the students so well in order to succeed.”

 

The waiting and anticipation was also over for students of Hilbre High School Humanities College, West Kirby, as the it celebrates the best GCSE results in the centre’s history.

 

More than 80% of the year group achieving 5 or more A* to C grades, with 40 A* equivalents attained by 34 students.

 

And principal Jan Levenson dismissed critics’ viewed that the exams are getting easier. She said:“I am absolutely delighted for our students, many of whom have achieved outstanding results.

“Their success is a tribute to their hard work and commitment, and the tremendous dedication and support offered unstintingly by the staff here at Hilbre.

“Every year we expect the students to do better so I think it is a case of better teaching and better learning than easier exams.” And it was also celebrations all round at Upton Hall School, where 30 girls managed to achieve 10 or more A*-A grades, with Alice Mackinson and Emily Wood gaining 12 A*s each.

 

Talented Art and Design candidates achieved a 100% pass rate for the eighth year running with Mandarin Chinese students achieved a spectacular 87% A*.

 

Leading the way for Wirral Grammar School for Boys were George Anderson and Jawad Qureshi who each picked up at least 11 A* grades. Headteacher David Hazeldine said “At Wirral Grammar pupils, parents and teachers work together and share the same aspirations for each boy. Where examination success is at stake, there can be no room for complacency.

 

“Congratulations to all pupils and very best wishes for your continued success.”

 

And over at Wirral Grammar School for Girls, there was a 100% pass rate, with 66% of the girls scoring the top grades.

 

Headteacher Elaine Cogan said: “The results show the high standard of teaching and learning and with the constant support of the parents, staff and governors we have developed a culture of high attainment that everyone aspires to.

"Last week our A level results were the best for any state or independent school in Wirral. Our GCSE results today are also outstanding and are a true reflection of the hard work that all our pupils consistently deliver.”

The borough’s comprehensive schools were also marking another successful year with all pupils passing Enlgish and Maths at The Oldershaw Academy.

 

Top performers included Breanna Clay-Lewis who received 5 A grades in English Language, English Literature, Drama, German and RE, while it was an A* in Maths for Tommy Clucas along with 3 A grades in PE, Science and Additional Science. Wallasey School students also managed to score a 100% pass rate.

Headteacher Philip Duffy said: “These are truly outstanding outcomes and demonstrate our determination for academic success for our young people. There really has never been a better time to send your young people to Wallasey School.

“Both our Ofsted reports and academic successes reflect our continued hard work and commitment to our students.”

However Birkenhead’s University Academy blamed the school’s “significant difficulties” for its dip in results.

The Academy, which opened in January 2011 after Rock Ferry High and Park High merged, saw its principal and vice principal resign earlier this year after struggling to unite the workforce.

But new principal Geraint Parry has pledged to restore parents’ confidence and steer the school towards improvements.

A quarter of the 26 students who sat GCSEs at Kingsmead in Hoylake got seven or more A and A*s.

 

Headliners include Kara Anderson with 7 A*s and 3 As; Caroline Welsh who has 7A*s and 3As, Dom Potter got 4 A*s and 6 As and a B, Miranda Smith with 2 A*s, 5As and 2 Bs and Ed Wrightson with 1 A* and seven As and a B.

 

Another superstar was Richard Evans, who started running when he joined Kingsmead and now does cross country at national level. He achieved 10 A* - Cs.

 

Headmaster Mark Gibbons said: "Once again, I am delighted with the achievements of all our pupils - they worked hard and produced results they can be proud of.

 

“Kingsmead welcomes pupils of all abilities, and all have the opportunity here to shine.

 

“Today is a very happy day for them and I congratulate them and wish them well in the future."