Students at Clyst Vale Community College have been celebrating their GCSE results today, (August 24).

Top-performing students included Jess Lilley achieved five grade 9s and three grade 8s in her results; Daniel Kerslake achieved three 9s and three 8s among his results; Jamie Beuscher and Enoch Pang each achieved three 9s and two 8s. Students achieving nine grades 9-7 were Jess Lilley and Lewis Voysey; a total of eleven students earned seven or more top grades: those already mentioned plus Millie Burns, Esther Justus, Alice Norris, Ray Phillips, Annelise Smith, and Betsy Speck.

The School Principal congratulated the Year 11 on their results today, saying that it was a lovely results day, and the majority of students were pleased or relieved or both with their results. 168 students picked up their results this morning and he was really proud of them all.

Principal Kevin Bawn said: "I'm especially proud of those who have shown great resilience and perseverance to battle through adversity, those who have worked hard and done their absolute best, and those who have made Clyst Vale a better place in their time here. Students who take their studies seriously, work hard, and work with their teachers achieve the most, and deserve all the praise they receive.

"This year group have faced many challenges in their time at Clyst Vale, most obviously lockdowns and the legacy of the pandemic, and it’s really tough on them that the government decided two-thirds of the two-year adjustment back to 2019 levels – in England only - would fall on their shoulders. This means that a 2023 student could have done just as well as a 2022 student but be awarded a lower grade through absolutely no fault of their own; the grade boundaries have been deliberately raised.

"One legacy of the pandemic has been a national upsurge in students with mental health challenges and reduced attendance at school, and we have seen this at Clyst Vale; five of our students were unable to come to the school site, so sat their exams at home. Many have done brilliantly to get grades at all. These students rarely get named for obvious reasons of sensitivity and confidentiality, but they have been part of our community, deserve as much praise as anyone, and should know that we are just as proud of them.

"For once, the government has delivered on an educational promise, to return results to 2019 levels. That is pretty much what has happened at Clyst Vale, and therefore, as expected, overall results are below 2022 and 2021. This also makes detailed statistical comparisons with previous years somewhat pointless. Personally, I hope the government learns from the recent experiences: GCSEs are an outdated method of assessment not dissimilar to the 1950s, even more so now students stay in education or training until age 18, and the teacher-assessed work was a much better indicator of what students can actually do away from all the pressure of an exam room.

"But the story is very much about students; I am pleased that most left happy with their results. They should be really proud of what they have accomplished in difficult times, and should look forward to next year with confidence in themselves."