Oxfordshire private school celebrates large number of top grades

In this year’s GCSE results, 45 per cent of all grades awarded were a grade 9, and 72 per cent were grade 8 or 9.

Headteacher of the Abingdon school Sarah Rolling said: “Seeing the students receiving their fantastic GCSE results this morning was joyful and we are absolutely delighted for them.

“Their grades are well deserved – the reward for a huge amount of hard work and determination, with good humour along the way.

Pupils celebrate GCSE results at St Helen and St Katharine’s school (Image: SHSK)

Pupils celebrate GCSE results at St Helen and St Katharine’s school (Image: SHSK)

Pupils celebrate GCSE results at St Helen and St Katharine’s school (Image: SHSK)

Pupils celebrate GCSE results at St Helen and St Katharine’s school (Image: SHSK)

Pupils celebrate GCSE results at St Helen and St Katharine’s school (Image: SHSK)

Pupils celebrate GCSE results at St Helen and St Katharine’s school (Image: SHSK)

Pupils celebrate GCSE results at St Helen and St Katharine’s school (Image: SHSK)

“Our consistently impressive results say so much about the dedication of our incredible teachers, the encouragement and support of parents and, above all, the commitment of our students.

“We are extremely proud of every one of them and excited to see them thrive through their A levels as they join SHSK Sixth Form.”

STEM subjects remain a strong point for the school, with the first cohort of Further Maths students earning 59 per cent grade 9s.

Across biology, chemistry and physics, 52 per cent of grades were also a 9.

Student Ella achieved 11 grade 9s, including in all three sciences.

Her mother, Mariam, said: “I’m so proud of Ella – she worked incredibly hard and it is wonderful to find out that it has all paid off.

“Thanks to all her teachers for their support throughout.”

Success extended to the performing arts, with 75 per cent of drama students achieving grades 8 or 9 and more than half of music students awarded grade 9s.

Christy, who received a music scholarship for sixth form, said: “I’m feeling happy with my results, it went better than expected.

“The teachers have been very supportive – they helped guide me through to get these results.”

Her father, Risha, praised the school’s encouragement, while her mother, Sandra, said: “The School has given a big contribution to her success.

“I’m very pleased with that.”

In computer science, 53 per cent of students earned grade 9s.

Pragya, who will join sixth form as an academic scholar, said: “I am really surprised with my results – I couldn’t have expected any better.”

Her parents, Shweta and Sumit, said: “St Helen’s has been really supportive, and teachers have always given the right guidance at the right time.

“That has really helped Pragya achieve what she did today.”

The school also excelled in sport, with 64 per cent of PE students achieving grade 9s.

Emily, who earned 10 grade 9s and both an Academic Scholarship and a Sport Scholarship, said: “I’m really pleased that all my hard work has paid off.

“We got lots of support from our teachers which gave us a good platform for revising.”

Headteacher Ms Rolling said: “We are extremely proud of every one of them and excited to see them thrive through their A levels as they join SHSK Sixth Form.”