GCSE Results: Selsey Academy students ‘have done themselves proud’

With some outstanding grades from hard-working pupils, the Selsey school today (August 20) announced an improvement on last year’s GCSE results.

In art, biology and chemistry, some 79/80 per cent of students achieved A*-C grades.

Success stories came from pupils including Melissa Taylor, Maisie Osis and Luke Burford who all gained a number of A/A* grades. Tyler Goddard, Michael Donnelly and Emily Mitchell also made exceptional progress across a range of subjects based on their Key Stage 2 starting point.

Headteacher Ann-Marie Latham said The Academy worked closely with Chichester College, which offered students a lot of support and guidance.

Speaking after students had collected their envelopes today, she said: “Staff have done a very good job and worked exceptionally hard this year and the children have done themselves proud.”

Miss Latham said the school hoped to build on its success over the next academic year.

However, she said grade boundaries had hiked, with the pass mark ‘changing by seven marks in English and eight marks in maths’.

“I feel that is quite unfair, when you have worked to a set standard and then when the results come through, it has changed.

“It is becoming much harder for children.

“In the context of it becoming harder and more stringent, I’m even more pleased The Academy has continued to improve.

“I think students are under more pressure and stress, generated by society expecting more of them and the school expecting more of them - which is under pressure itself to get results.”

She said the school had put in extra help to support students stressed by exams.

“What is important is the outcome every child gets,” added Miss Latham.

“I think every headteacher in the county is doing their best for every child in their care and sometimes there are obstacles that are put in our way which make that difficult to achieve - such as changing grade boundaries.”

In a statement on behalf of The Academy, Miss Latham added: “The whole of the school community is delighted for the class of 2015 who worked so hard for their achievements of 46 per cent inclusive; these results are a tribute to their commitment and diligence.

“Despite continuing changes to how the performance of young people is measured, students results at The Academy, Selsey represent an eight per cent increase in the proportion of students gaining five or more GCSEs in English and mathematics.

“In addition, many other subjects including English and maths have shown a significant increase in their results which have contributed to the overall improvement.

“Although today the focus is on celebrating the wonderful GCSE results of our students, it is important to remember that at The Academy, Selsey, we are committed to providing all of our students with a fully rounded education.

“Thanks to the staff, parents, carers and governors for all their hard work and support in making this set of results happen we all look forward to working together again next year.”

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