THE heavens may have opened on GCSE results day today, but Emmbrook students in Wokingham are walking on sunshine.
Craig Johnson, associate Headteacher, says:
“We are incredibly proud of the fantastic results achieved by our Year 11 students today. “These students have faced so much uncertainty and disruption as a result of Covid-19 and yet showed incredible resilience and maturity to produce results well ahead of 2019, when public exams were last sat.”
Students at the school have performed well across English, Maths and Science, with the three subjects together producing the best combined exam results The Emmbrook has seen in a generation.
Over half of the cohort secured a 7 grade or above (A to A* in the previous grading system).
Other high performing subjects at grades 7-9 included Biology, Chemistry and Physics, Business Studies, Computer Science, Classical Civilisation, French and German, Geography, PE and Religious Studies.
Lizzie Fisher, 16 says: “It feels good to actually have the results now.”
“Yes,” agrees Sophie Oliver, 16: “It’s amazing, and there’s no more waiting!”
“It’s felt like a long time,” smiles Rachel Yoxall, also 16.
The three friends are excited about what comes next.
Lizzie is very pleased as she has exactly what she needs to go to Bracknell College, where she wants to study engineering, as part of a graduate scheme there.
“I’m going to see Top Gun, to celebrate!” she laughs.
Sophie also is delighted she has the grades she needs to study A level Sociology, Psychology and History at the Emmbrook School.
“I’m aiming to become a primary school teacher, and celebrations for me mean spending time with friends, and then a meal with my family.”
Rachel is very happy, too, because her strong grades mean that she is able to stay on at the school.
“I’m going to study Psychology, History and Economics A levels in the 6th form, and I’ll be having a meal with the family to celebrate,” she says.
In the hall, lots of students are arriving.
There are lots of congratulations and one or two cries of “Yes! You smashed it!”
Timmy Tiela, Ben Poole, Harry Sweetman and Elliot Cardozo, all 16, are happy with today’s results.
Timmy modestly says, “Yes, I’ve done alright!”
His set of results means he can stay on to continue A level studies in English, History and Maths.
“I’d like to go to university eventually, to study law,” he says.
Ben’s excellent results mean he can study Computing, Maths and Physics A levels at Emmbrook School.
“I’d like to do something in programming”, he says.
“I’m very happy,” says Harry:
“I really liked PE, Geography and Computing at GCSE, and I’ll be staying on at school to continue studying these three subjects at A level.
“I’m interested in studying Science PE afterwards at university.”
Elliot says:
“Yes, I’ve done pretty well.
“Even so, Maths was a tough subject this year!”
He has a good set of results that enables him to stay on at Emmbrook to study A levels in Economics, Computing, and another subject yet to be decided.
“I’d like to study Politics at university eventually,” he says.
All four will be celebrating, some with bowling, and others in ways that are food related.
Elliot laughs, “We’ll probably take advantage of the Free Nando’s offer at some point!”
Also feeling good today is Joshua Ritchie, who has come to collect his results with his family.
His great grades mean that he can study History, Physics and Geography A Levels.
“I’ll be celebrating with my family at TGI Fridays American Restaurant in Bracknell.”
Joshua wants to be a train driver, and with today’s results is well on his way to fulfil his plans.
Nick McSweeney, the Headteacher, comments:
“After five years there are always mixed emotions when we say goodbye to our Year 11s; inevitable sadness but also pride at seeing our students do so well.
“This year, it was more important than ever that we kept our students focussed as there were so many who feared that the exams would be disrupted or even replaced entirely with teacher assessments like last year.
“Their incredible focus has now paid off and they can be proud of their achievements.
“We wish them all the very best for the future and look forward to seeing what they can achieve next!”
Pete Whitehouse, Assistant Headteacher for Outcomes added:
“We are so very proud of this cohort of individuals for making it through an incredibly challenging two years.
“These were the first students to sit GCSEs for three years, yet the way they approached their studies and prepared for their public exams demonstrated what a resilient and aspirational group they are.
“They managed to block out all the external noise around the uncertainty of exams and overcome the challenges of the disruptions of Covid.
“The outcome is a superb set of results which will allow them access to move on to the next stage of their journeys.
“For most, this will be The Emmbrook Sixth Form, for others, college or an apprenticeship.
“We look forward to working with the majority and wish all the others all the best for the next phase of their lives.”
