GCSE students at Reading Blue Coat have performed ‘exceptionally well’ and there were a lot of happy faces collecting results.
The Sonning-based school said that more than 78% of grades were 7 or above, and 92% were 6 or above.
In Maths, 51% were grades 9-8 – the equivalent of A*, 93% of geography grades were 9-7, while 33 of the 44 students who took physics received a grade 9.
Scott Yates, director of the Middle School, said these were some of the best results in Blue Coat’s history.
“They are testament to the hard work and commitment that these students have shown throughout their time here,” he said.
“They have received excellent support and encouragement from our staff as well as from their parents, so we are all delighted and proud to celebrate in their success.
“Since we have emerged from lockdown and remote learning, not only have these students excelled in the classroom but have shown commitment to their co-curricular activities.
“Among them are sportsmen, musicians, actors, adventurers, cadets and artists and involvement in these activities has not only strengthened and developed other important life skills, but also their overall wellbeing and enjoyment of school life.”
Students who excelled included rugby player Matthew McLachlan of Finchampstead, achieved a 10 grade 9s and one grade 8. He also recently attained the DofE Bronze Award and was awarded the school’s maths prize.
Keen rower Owen Beckett of Wokingham helped Blue Coat’s squad became Junior National Champions at the British Rowing Championships. He had four grade 9s, five grade 8s and two grade 7s.
Musician Harry Luff of Tilehurst (pictured above with his parents) was recently awarded the Joy Day Trophy for a vocal performance at the Reading Symphony Orchestra’s Young Musicians’ Championships. In his GCSEs, he obtained five grade 9s, four grade 8s and two grade 7.
Cookham resident Tom Ellington, and Patrick Wisener of Caversham, jointly received the special academic award of the Jefferies Year 11 Cup for Progress.
Tom also received the Geography and Spirit of Malthus Prizes. In his GCSEs, he received seven grade 9s and three grade 8s, while Patrick achieved two grade 9s, five grade 8s, two grade 7s and a grade 5.
Elsewhere, Isaac Mono of Crowthorne achieved 10 grade 9s and one grade 8; Rohit Laibu of Reading, gained nine grade 9s and two 8s; Oliver Bloomfield of Finchampstead, received eight grade 9s and three 8s; both Nathan Kisaka of Calcot, and Dominic Rolt of Fleet received eight grade 9s and two grade 8s.
And Year 10 students at Reading Blue Coat collected their GCSE results for religious, with more than 71% celebrating 9-7 grades.
Headmaster Pete Thomas said: “Possibly the earliest these young people have woken in quite a few weeks.
“It was wonderful to see nerves turned to joy on so many faces with this excellent set of results.
“I am delighted that sustained effort from the students and great support from staff and families has resulted in so much celebration (and no doubt relief).
“In a couple of weeks, they will return in their Sixth Form attire, smart and focused on bringing the best out of themselves once again in their A Levels, wherever their particular interests lie.
“I am excited to see them continue to grow as fine young adults over the next two years.”
The sentiments was echoed by Reading Blue Coat’s head of year 11 and head of futures, James Leigh.
He said they were record breakers.
“What a phenomenal bunch of Year 11 students. These results are testimony to the effort they have put in during challenging periods over the last few years,” he continued.
“Credit also to the support from both staff and parents; our whole community should be proud of these students. I am thrilled as Head of Year, and now look forward to our time in the Sixth Form.”
