Wirral teens celebrated for 'outstanding' results…

Wirral teens celebrated for 'outstanding' results after 'trying' time

Teenagers across Wirral have been commended by the council after a number of schools recorded "outstanding" GCSE results this morning.

Students across the borough have endured a "trying" time in recent years owing to the pandemic, but many have seen their hard work vindicated by securing top grades today. At Wirral Grammar School for Girls, in Bebington, more than 75% of students were awarded the very highest grades of 9-7.

The top grades of 9-8 rose to 54% and over 90% of all grades were at grades 9-6. An exceptional 63 pupils gained 10 or more 9-7 grades, with headteacher Elaine Cogan attributing the school's success at both GCSE and A level to the self-motivation of the students and the high standards of teaching and learning within the school.

Elaine said: “I am thrilled that today has gone so well. The covid pandemic over the last two years has been a particularly trying time for pupils, parents and staff. The girls and staff worked together throughout the covid lockdowns to gain these outstanding results.

"Staff, parents and pupils should be congratulated for such excellent examination results. It is immensely satisfying to be retiring from the school with the pupils achieving such outstanding results.”

The 2022 cohort at Calday Grange Grammar School also secured impressive results, with 97.2% of all GCSE entries at grade 4 and above. Initial calculations of progress at the school, as measured by Progress 8, place Calday Grange in a strong position with results comparing favourably to the national picture.

Jane Seymour, Isabel Dodd and Emily Ward celebrate their results at Wirral Grammar (Wirral Grammar)

Across the country, the proportion of candidates receiving the highest grades has fallen from last year, when the pandemic forced schools to replace exams with grades determined by teachers. However, the number of students receiving top grades remains higher than the last time formal exams were taken in 2019.

At South Wirral High School, Nerys Galvin and Ellie Louise Jones were among the highest achievers, with headteacher Simon Goodwin commenting: "Students have managed themselves with real maturity and we are so pleased that their efforts have been rewarded.

"On behalf of the governors, I would also like to thank all our parents for the support they have given to their students and to the school."

At St. Anselm’s College, in Birkenhead, 99% of students achieved grades 4 or above in both English and Maths, with 80% securing grades 5-9 in both subjects. Among the standout achievers was John Drace-Francis, from Prenton, who picked up a perfect ten grade 9s.

Robert Alexander and Inigo Roderick-Waters, both from Wallasey, achieved ten grades 8 and 9 and Vadim Bosc, from West Kirby, who won two medals in the Great Britain under-17 swimming championships this year earned 11 grades 7-9.

South Wirral High's Headteacher Mr Goodwin with Nerys Galvin (L) and Ellie Jones (R) (South Wirral High School)

And Chair of the Children, Young People and Education Committee for Wirral Council, Kathy Hodson, has praised students in the borough for overcoming the obstacles of the last few years to pass their exams. She said: “Wirral’s young people and their teachers have worked incredibly hard to achieve the exam results they have received today and I want to take this opportunity to congratulate them all.

“GCSEs are the first formal tests these students have sat and they have studied for them while their face-to-face schooling was impacted severely by COVID-19. They all deserve the utmost praise for the way they have adapted, applied themselves and tackled such a daunting timetable of tests.

"I wish everyone receiving their results today all the very best, whatever the next step might be in their education or training.”

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