Pride and joy for region’s GCSE stars
PRAISE AS STUDENTS CELEBRATE IMPROVED RESULTS
STUDENTS across Huddersfield and Kirklees were celebrating yesterday as they collected their GCSE results.
The results were a slight improvement on last year, according to Kirklees Council, with numbers gaining a grade 4 in Maths and English up year on year.
Headteachers across the district praised pupils for their hard work and dedication with many mentioning those who not only succeeded but gained grades well above those they expected.
Huddersfield Grammar said 100% of pupils gained at least five grades 9-4, a stronger performance than last year.
They said one in three (33%) English results were graded at 9-7, ahead of a national average of 13%, while 100% of pupils taking Mathematics achieved 9-4, which is over 60% ahead of the UK average for this subject of 39%.
Mr Mike Seaton, headmaster of Huddersfield Grammar School, said: “This was a particularly kind and committed year group that wore their ability lightly, which makes me even more proud that it was they who delivered our strongest GCSE results since the qualifications were reformed.
“These results cap an exceptional year for Huddersfield Grammar School, which began with our ranking by the Sunday Times as a Top 100 School for the first time in our history. I am immensely proud of my colleagues for their continued support of our wonderful pupils. A school is only ever as good as its teachers.”
Holmfirth High School said there have been some outstanding individual success stories, including pupils achieving a large number of the top grades possible.
But a spokesman said it was all those pupils who had exceeded even their own high expectations through hard work and determination that they were “most pleased for.”
The spokesman added: “A number of our departments have achieved results significantly higher than national averages (including Science, English, Maths, Music, French, Computing, Art and German) demonstrating the breadth and depth of education that young people at Holmfirth High School enjoy.
“We look forward to hearing and seeing all the accomplishments of the Class of 2019 as the months and years go by. They are a very talented group and we feel honoured that they attended our school.”
At Hipperholme Grammar School, 96% of pupils gained a minimum of five GCSE passes.
The school recorded a 100% pass rate in Religious Studies, Music, History, French and German – bucking the national trend for modern languages.
The pass rate in Maths improved significantly from 79% in 2018 to 96% in 2019.
Four pupils achieved the elusive top grade 9 – equivalent of an A* in the previous grading system – Ella Jones and Lucas Dance in German, George Gilgrass in Sports Studies and head boy Maximus Robins in History.
Council leader Clr Shabir Pandor said: “Thousands of students across Kirklees have worked incredibly hard to achieve their outcomes.
“I am always proud of their dedication and commitment.
“This is an exciting time for many young people and there is a wide range of post-16 pathways available, including further education, apprenticeships and also work-based training.
“We will do everything possible to support them in achieving their ambitions.”
Across Yorkshire and Humber the results overall saw a slight increase too – up 0.5%.
See pages 28&29 for more on GCSE results.