Students across Swindon are celebrating their GCSE results with thousands of young people finding out how their hard work has paid off as they prepare to take their next steps into further education, training or employment.
Results for 2,374 Swindon students have been returned to Swindon Borough Council, with the overall figures showing improvements in English and Maths compared with last year.
Some 61.3 per cent of students achieved grades 9 to 4 in both English and Maths.
English results saw 75.4 per cent of students achieve a grade 9 to 4, up from 72.4 per cent last year. In Maths, 71.7 per cent achieved grades 9 to 4, compared with 70.3 per cent last year.
Behind the borough-wide figures are individual stories of achievement, with schools across Swindon celebrating pupils who have overcome challenges, exceeded expectations and secured the grades they need for what comes next.
At The Deanery Church of England Academy, the school is celebrating a continuing improvement in its GCSE results.
Some 48 per cent of the cohort achieved Grade 5 or above in both English and Maths, while 72 per cent achieved Grade 4 or above in the two subjects.
Executive Principal Jon Young said the results reflected the determination of pupils alongside the support provided by families and staff.
“It’s an absolute pleasure to celebrate these excellent examination results with our pupils,” he said.
“We are incredibly proud of everything they have achieved at The Deanery. These outcomes reflect not only the hard work and determination of our young people, but also the strong partnership between school and home, and the unwavering commitment of our dedicated staff.”
He added that the school was looking forward to building on its progress and providing new opportunities for pupils.
There was also plenty to celebrate at St Joseph’s Catholic College, where a student has achieved Grade 9 in all ten of his GCSEs for the second year running, alongside a Distinction Star in the Extended Maths award.
It is a particularly rare achievement, with only around 690 students nationally achieving the same Extended Maths result each year.
Across the school, 66 per cent of students achieved Grade 4 or above in both English and Maths, while half achieved Grade 5 or above in both subjects. Overall, 64 per cent achieved Grade 4 or above in five or more GCSE subjects, including English and Maths.
The Principal of St Joseph’s, Jerry Giles, praised the achievements of students across the school, including those in its SEN Unit, St Aquinas Centre, Inclusion Centre and The Ark, as well as the mainstream cohort.
“Once again, we are all really proud of our students and the results they have achieved – this applies to every success story,” he said.
“As well as the congratulations due to each student, we also thank the teachers and parents whose support has underpinned the success evident today.”
Councillor Kate Tomlinson, Swindon Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Children and Education, congratulated students across the borough.
“Behind every grade is a story of commitment and determination, every student should be proud of what they have achieved,” she said.
“These results represent hard work, supported by dedicated teachers and families. Congratulations to each and every one of you.”
For many of today’s students, the results mark the end of one chapter and the beginning of another. Some will remain at sixth form, while others will head to college, apprenticeships or employment.
Whatever the grades on the piece of paper, results day is also a reminder of the work that went into getting there – and for Swindon’s GCSE students, the next part of the journey now begins.
