PUPILS across west Dorset celebrated an excellent round of GCSE results last week.
This year, following the cancellation of exams, final grades were awarded through a process of teacher assessed grades, against a national standard and approved and awarded by the exam boards.
The traditional A*-G grades have been scrapped and replaced with a number system going from 9-1, with the highest grade as 9 - with 1 the lowest, not including an ungraded mark.
Top grades (7/As and above) rose to 28.9 per cent from 26.2 per cent in 2020, while grades 4/Cs and above - seen as passes - rose to 77.1 per cent up from 76.3 per cent.
Those graduating from Year 11 have had to deal with an unusual and challenging 18-month period in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, and have had to work through a combination of disruption, online learning and a lack of face-to-face learning.
The Sir John Colfox Academy, Beaminster Secondary School and Woodroffe School all reported a excellent results this year.
At Colfox, Eddie Rose was able to achieve the top grade, 9, in all of his subjects,with Zachery Dixon achieved seven grade 9s and three grade 8s.
Adam Shelley, Headteacher of The Sir John Colfox academy said, ‘This is an excellent set of results and I am absolutely delighted that so many of our students have done so well.
"The students have worked incredibly hard and I applaud their commitment and determination they have shown through this pandemic and we look forward to seeing what they will achieve in the future.
"They have achieved fantastic grades across a broad range of subjects. I would also like to recognise the dedication of the Sir John Colfox staff who have worked very hard to ensure that our students achieve these results."
At Beaminster Secondary a number of students achieved eight or more A-grades (9-7): Felipe Brown, Rosie Donaldson, Megan Dunlop, Eve Higman, Bella Leather, Milly McIntyre, Cadie Noer, Charlie Pomeroy, Guy Scarborough, Imogen Sear, Nikolai Slater, Callum Tomlinson, Harrison Wallis.
Lisa Watson, head of year 11 at Beaminster Secondary School said: "It’s lovely to see our fantastic Year 11 back in school for one last time. I am incredibly proud of the hard work and determination that they have shown to complete the required assessments and get through this torrid time.
"This has been a really challenging few months for them and they richly deserve these grades in the face of such adversity."
Woodroffe School in Lyme Regis saw Tilly Arscott and Lucy Waplington both achieved nine GCSEs at grade 9 and one at grade 8, with Merlin Thompson obtaining six grade 9s and three grade 8s.
Dan Watts, headteacher of Woodroffe School, said: "This has been a very challenging year for all school students and the significant disruption to education has been felt most keenly by those who should have taken their final exams this summer.
"Our school has a strong track record of academic excellence and this year, despite the difficulties faced, is no different. Our students have achieved incredibly well across the full range of GCSE and Level 2 qualifications and will continue to do so next year and beyond.
"We are disappointed that the school year ended the way that it did for a second year and prevented students from experiencing some of the key moments in their education."
He added: "However, we are continually amazed by the resilience and perseverance shown by our students in very challenging circumstances."
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