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GCSE results day in York 2021

York live

12 August 2021

Well done to all the students who have been through a very challenging year

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York College: ‘It’s been a fantastic result for the students in a year of adversity’

York College students with their GCSEs

Students receiving their GCSE results at York College have told how they studied through lockdown and personal adversity to achieve their grades.

The College opened its doors on Thursday to welcome GCSE students of all ages, who were given their results and offered advice on progressing their studies.

Amongst those celebrating was 21-year-old Abdul Karim Bitar, who arrived in York from war-torn Syria in 2017, unable to speak English. After studying English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) for two years, Abdul achieved a Grade 4 in English and a Grade 5 in Maths, while studying his first year of a Level 3 Information Technology course.

“The first six months in the UK were the hardest of my life,” he said. “I had no friends, I didn’t speak the language and I had no education. My parents had it tough too, so I thought rather than sit around I needed to do something.

“I began to teach myself English by watching YouTube and I did a lot of writing too. I would fill whole notebooks by copying stories and using Google Translator to convert them from Arabic to English.

“I started at York College in 2018 studying ESOL. From there I began my GCSEs and also started an IT course. This was the hardest year for me – everyone was English and I was nervous about asking questions in case I looked silly, but I made friends and gained confidence. There were people on my course overcoming disabilities and they motivated me a lot. They did really well and made me realise there are always people with more challenges than yourself.

“At York College I’ve learned you should always try your hardest but also make the most of the help that comes to you.”

Fellow GCSE student Tina Chimalilo achieved the highest possible GCSE grade in both English and Maths. Following an army career, she now plans to continue her studies with a view to beginning an access course in September before studying dietetics at university.

“Hard work pays,” she said. “I’m very happy today but I never got too proud. I knew my potential but was willing to go back to basics with my GCSEs and I’ve exceeded my expectations. I got top marks so I might allow myself dinner at Nando’s today.”

Adult student, Kevin Wright is now considering a career in teaching after successfully achieving GCSE Grade 4 Maths, despite a tough start.

He said: “I found my first two mock-exams humbling in that I didn’t do as well as I thought I would. But I buckled down, spent my free time revising and started an extra maths class on a Wednesday and began to improve. The next month I did better and was recording good grades.

“I’m autistic so I found lockdown a big disruption, but working from home I was able to find a routine.”

Kevin now intends to study for his PGCE teacher training qualification.

Graham Baker (pictured far right) York College’s Head of Curriculum for Foundation English and Maths, said: “It’s been a fantastic result for the students in a year of adversity. The majority of the year has been spent online and the students have shown dedication and commitment so it’s fantastic to see them rewarded for their efforts.

“We’ve definitely seen improvements, over last year in grade profiles. This is testament to the work the students and the staff have put in.

“Congratulations to everyone.”

The Mount School: ‘Very much deserved results’

The pupils at The Mount School celebrate.

Year 11 pupils at The Mount School York are celebrating outstanding GCSE results today, with many girls receiving GCSE grades 8 and 9 across all subjects.

Adrienne Richmond, Principal of The Mount said, “I am delighted for the girls and their wonderful very much deserved results. They have worked extremely diligently despite the ever-changing circumstances.

“The girls have had an incredibly challenging two years, but they remained focussed on their studies and intent on achieving their very best. They have risen to the challenges with determination and good humour, as well as being incredibly supportive of one another.

“They have demonstrated the resilience and compassion we strive to nurture in all of our girls at The Mount. It has been a privilege to watch them grow and develop in character and confidence over their time at The Mount.”

The Mount is a school that champions all subjects equally – this was reflected today in the high grades awarded across the curriculum including STEM, creative and humanities subjects.

Queen Ethelburga’s Collegiate: ‘We are all exceptionally proud’

Year 11 students from QE pictured at the end of term celebration for 2021 held in June.

Students, staff and parents celebrate success at Queen Ethelburga’s Collegiate today.

Acting Principal, Dan Machin, said: “The amazing achievements of our students this year reflect their hard work, dedication and clear ability across a range of subjects. We are all exceptionally proud of them!

“Thanks must go to all of the QE staff, parents and guardians for their unwavering support for the school and for the students, helping to achieve such high standards.

“The students have approached their studies with the virtues we encourage of mutual respect, support, tolerance and compassion, and it is fantastic to see that their efforts have been rewarded.”

City of York Council: ‘The last 18 months have been incredibly challenging for young people’

City of York Council education leaders have praised the hard work of students across the city who have received their GCSE results today.

Cllr Ian Cuthbertson, the council’s Executive Member for Children, Young People and Education, said: “I want to congratulate all our students who are receiving their Key Stage 4 results today.

“The last 18 months have been incredibly challenging for young people, the vast majority of them having had their studies disrupted.

Their results are testament to their hard work and perseverance, besides being a great tribute to the valued support of their parents, carers and teaching staff. I hope these results will provide a springboard to success in the next stage of their learning and life journey.”

For anyone who didn’t get the results they were hoping for, support is available across the city – for people who may be seeking an apprenticeship or other employment opportunity or for those wanting to move into full-time education.

Young people who are concerned that their personal circumstances may make accessing education, employment or training more difficult could also benefit from advice.

People can find support in York from:
• Their school. Teaching staff will be able to support pupils with their next steps.
• Careers Advisers employed by our schools
• Admissions teams at York College and Askham Bryan College
• City of York Council Learning and Work Advisers in our Young People’s Service at 30 Clarence Street; pre booked appointment slots are available and advisers can support with searching for vacancies, developing your CV, completing applications and preparing for interviews. Tel: 01904 555400
• National Careers Service – for local employment and training opportunities; or call the national help-line 0800 100 900
• Council-led ‘York Apprenticeship Hub’ – find us on Facebook @ York Apprenticeships; email us at [email protected]; www.york.gov.uk/yorkapprenticeships for local apprenticeship vacancies. There are still around 50 opportunities in the city and many more in Leeds across a range of sectors and job roles and we can sign post you to agencies and training providers.

Information and advice is also available for school and college leavers at www.york.gov.uk/SchoolLeavers, which includes a handy ‘next steps’ factsheet for A Level or GCSE students, which explains many of the options available, including apprenticeships and further learning

Support is also available for anyone who is particularly worried about their results and next steps.
York mind offer services to young people at https://www.yorkmind.org.uk, email [email protected] or call 01904 643364

For young people who prefer online messaging there is Kooth.com.

Kooth is a free, online counselling and emotional wellbeing platform for young people aged 11 to 18 (you can use Kooth until you turn 19 yrs old).

Bootham School: ‘This group of young people should feel very proud indeed’

Congratulations to Bootham School students

GCSE results at Bootham School are being celebrated today with the same joy as A Levels were just two days ago.

Headteacher at Bootham, Chris Jeffrey, said, “This bright, committed and lovely group of young people should feel very proud indeed of everything that they are celebrating today.

They have all worked really hard and shown great resilience to demonstrate their best standard, despite the extraordinary disruption to their learning over the past seventeen months.

Anyone who has done that, whatever grades they have received today, deserves the most enormous congratulations and has earned our immense admiration.”

He added, “Teachers, too, who have worked with such selflessness and sustained commitment -too often almost to the point of exhaustion- to master a completely new way of ‘doing school’ and then of assessing standards, deserve our equal admiration, and our most heartfelt thanks”.

31 of the 73 Bootham students achieved at least 9 grades at 7 or above, 25 of them achieving at least 10 passes at that level.

7 of those students achieved the very highest grade in at least 10 subjects. All students achieved at least 5 grades 9-4, with 69% of grades at 9-7 and 85% at 9-6.

York High School: ‘This fantastic group of students have succeeded – despite all of the obstacles that they have faced’

Students at York High School celebrate.

York High School give their congratulations to their Year 11 students for a ‘fantastic’ set of GSCE results.

Headteacher Rob Sims said, “This fantastic group of students have succeeded despite all of the obstacles that they have faced over the last 18 months.

Many will say that these results are worth less than “normal examinations” . We believe the opposite that after all of the disruption caused by the pandemic these grades are worth more.

Sam Holland and Oscar Dewire need a specific mention for achieving a grade 9 in 8 subjects. 

Students are given a GCSE forecast nationally based on their Sat results at the end of primary school. The following three girls achieved over 2 grades higher than they were predicted, congratulations to Georgia Linsey Bessent, Millie Hunt and Rio Bailey.”

Huntington School: ‘Our students have shown incredible resilience – they have been rewarded with some tremendous grades’

All smiles at Huntington School.

Headteacher John Tomsett is very proud of the Year 11s at Huntington School.

He said, “This has been an extraordinary year for our Year 11 students and they have shown incredible resilience amidst such uncertainty. They have been rewarded with some tremendous GCSE grades.

“We ran full examinations in the Sports Hall in April & May. We have 240 Year 11 students who sat an average of 8 examinations each. That is 1,920 papers and not one student missed a single exam. That is remarkable. It means that the truly great results our students received today are thoroughly deserved and based on solid evidence. 

“Amongst so many stand out performances, Samuel Field-Gibson attained eleven grade 9s and two grade 8s and Alexandra Bonfield attained ten grade 9s and three grade 8s.   

“What all our young people need to do now is look to the future and commit themselves to whatever career pathway they choose.

They have shown they have all the tenacity and drive required to be successful in a world beyond the pandemic. I am very proud of our students. They have been magnificent.”  

Fulford School: ‘So impressed by our students’ positive attitude – and fantastic results’

Well done to Fulford School’s GCSE students

Steve Lewis says it’s another excellent day at Fulford School.

The headteacher said they were celebrating “the fantastic success of our year 11 students”. He said:

“We have been so impressed by their hard work and positive attitude during such a difficult time.

“They should be very proud of their achievements which have enabled progression to sixth form, college and apprenticeships.

“Students have made outstanding progress with many gaining the highest grades across a full range of subjects.

“It has been particularly pleasing see how many of our students have overcome not only the difficulties of lock down but also personal hurdles to excel.

“We will welcome the majority of our students back into our sixth form, whilst others will embark on exciting pathways elsewhere.

“We wish them all the very best as they take their next steps and thank them for the fantastic impact they have had on our school community over their time at Fulford School.”

Joseph Rowntree School: ‘We’re incredibly proud of our students’ hard work’

Jo Ro students jump for GCSE joy

Joseph Rowntree School said today they are incredibly proud of the achievements of our students receiving GCSE results today.

The students “have worked incredibly hard through periods of remote learning, and adapted to changes during periods of uncertainty, to produce an excellent set of outcomes.

“As a year group, they showed great maturity in continuing to engage well in their studies while participating in live lessons during lockdowns and excellent independence in preparing themselves through revision for their end of year assessments.”

About 20% of Year 11 students have achieved above target grade in the majority of their subjects and 17 students from the year group achieved all grade 8/9’s which is a phenomenal personal achievement. We wish all students the very best in their future and wherever they continue their studies, either here at Joseph Rowntree or elsewhere.

Head teacher Dave Hewitt said:

“We have been really impressed by how well our Year 11 students responded to the challenges of the last two academic years. This has been an unprecedented time in education, and the resilience and hard work that students have demonstrated has helped them achieve really pleasing outcomes.

“We look forward to welcoming back those students who are joining our Sixth Form and hearing about the successes of those who have chosen different post 16 pathways.”

Here are the key GCSE figures for 2021

Here are the main figures in this year’s GCSE results:

– The proportion of entries receiving the top grades is the highest on record. A total of 28.9% of entries were awarded 7/A or above, up from 26.2% in 2020.

– Some 77.1% of entries received a 4/C grade or above. This is another record high, and is up from 76.3% in 2020.

– The overall rate for grades 1/G or above is 99.0%, down slightly from 99.6% in 2020.

– Girls have extended their lead over boys in the top grades. The proportion of female entries awarded 7/A or above was 33.4%, 9.0 percentage points higher than male entries (24.4%). Last year, girls led boys by 8.0 percentage points (30.2% girls, 22.2% boys). This year’s figures are the highest on record for both girls and boys.

– The gap at grade 4/C has narrowed for the fourth year in a row. A total of 80.6% of female entries were awarded 4/C or higher, compared with 73.6% for boys, a lead of 7.0 points. Last year the gap was 7.9 points.

– The most popular subject this year in terms of entries was science double award, with a total of 896,138 entries, up 2.0% on 2020.

– Maths remains the second most popular subject, with 811,135 entries, up 0.3% on 2020.

– English was the third most popular choice this year, but also saw the biggest percentage fall in entries of any major subject, down by 2.4% from 799,473 to 780,231.

– Spanish saw the biggest percentage rise in entries of any major subject, jumping by 4.7% from 109,594 to 114,795.

– Overall there were 5,745,945 GCSE entries, up slightly (0.9%) on last year’s figure of 5,692,464.

– A total of 3,606 16-year-olds in England taking at least seven GCSEs achieved a grade 9 in all their 9-to-1 graded subjects. This is up from 2,645 in 2020.