GCSE Results Exceed Expectations Despite Disadvantage

Jersey's Year 11 have been picking up their GCSE results, the first set of grades since the UK Government altered grade boundaries to pre-pandemic levels.

Across the island, 15 and 16-year-olds are opening white envelopes containing their grades to see how they have done in their exams.

There is an air of nervousness because the UK Government decided to change grade boundaries for those sitting their GCSEs and A-Levels to bring grades back down to pre-pandemic levels.

However, the 2023 GCSE cohort has managed to pull through and on average has still surpassed U and 2019 standards.

Grade equivalents from letters to numbers

Almost three-quarters of students in Jersey passed their GCSEs obtaining grades ranging from 4 to 9.

This is despite the setbacks of being in Year 8 when the pandemic began, spending the majority of their secondary education in lockdowns or with restrictions.

De La Salle saw the best set of GCSE results in the College's 107-year history.

All of the students passed at least five of their subjects 88% of pupils at the school achieved Gold standard (Five 9-4 grades, including English, and Maths at grade 4 or higher).

Grainville's Headteacher, Sue Morris, says the whole year group has been disadvantaged:

"I understand what the [UK] government were trying to do, but I don't think that this particular cohort was the right cohort to do it with.

They've had disrupted lives with restrictions, with all the things that happened with COVID for the last three years, so maybe it wasn't the right time to start tightening up grade boundaries again."

Two Grainville pupils with their results.

Grainville's grades in Maths and English were above target, meaning children came into school to a nice surprise on results day.

Sue Morris says that one student, who was a late arrival, has stood out to her in particular:

"We were really hoping that they would do really well, and in actual fact, they surpassed hugely what we were expecting them to get.

I was so, so proud and pleased and I know that they will be really happy with the results."

Well done to all Jersey students getting their GCSE results today!

In 2007 when my friends and I got our results, we celebrated by renting a bouncy castle and blaring out some heavy metal. Highly recommend this 🤘

— Deputy Sam Mézec (@SamMezecJsy) August 24, 2023

Students at Hautileu nearly broke records with their GCSE passes, including English and mathematics.

Hautlieu Headteacher Nick Falle says since joining the school at 14 years old, the group of Hautlians has impressed them in every way with their energy, ambition, and willingness:

"What an amazing group of students!

It is all the more rewarding to see the fabulous grades they have achieved today.

After two years of Covid adjustments, these students had to face exams as normal despite having significant disruptions to their schooling in their earlier and formative years."

What an amazing group of students! Since joining us at 14 the energy, ambition and willingness of these Hautlians to make the school and their local community better has been inspiring. Congratulations to all of our students on their near record outcomes in GCSE passes.

— Hautlieu School (@HautlieuSchool) August 24, 2023

Victoria College for Boys students with their results.

Victoria College's cohort has exceeded expectations with their results.

A quarter of the students have achieved an average of Grade 7 and above across their whole GCSE profile.

The majority of boys passed all of their GCSEs, with 93% gaining a range from 4 to 9.

Headteacher Dr Gareth Hughes says he is proud of our Year 11 students today as they receive their GCSE grades:

"Our boys have worked incredibly hard to achieve these results and displayed real resilience in overcoming a number of challenges as individuals and as a year group.

Huge thanks go to the staff that guided the students brilliantly through their courses, and to our fantastic parental body that has supported so well.

We look forward to welcoming many of the cohort back to join our Sixth Form, and we wish those heading off to explore new opportunities the very best for the future."

Victoria College for Boys pupils with their results.

Beaulieu celebrated strong GCSE and BETC results today, with 11% of all girls being rewarded a Grade 9, almost double the number of top grades in 2019.

To accompany that, 85% of all students gained Grades 9 to 4.

Paul Robinson, Acting Headteacher, says he is delighted that our students' determination and hard work have been rewarded with another strong set of examination results:

"They should be very proud of all they have achieved through their ongoing efforts.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank our staff for the constant guidance, assistance and dedication they have offered our students throughout their learning journey and also our students’ parents, for their ongoing support."

Jersey College for Girls pupils with their results.

This year, 98% of Year 11s at Jersey College for Girls passed their GCSEs with 93% achieving Grades 9 to 5.

On top of that, 63% of girls at the school were rewarded with top grades of 7 to 9.

Carl Howarth, Principal, says the school is so proud of our students, their character, fortitude and now academic excellence:

"They have had to contend with so much over the past few years and today has shown the remarkable perseverance they possess and the togetherness they share.

We have learnt so much from them and with them.

This level of excellence is down to the persistence of our students, the care and excellent teaching of our staff and the love, support and patience of their families."

Congratulations to those students in Jersey who have today received their GCSE results.

If you are the parent or guardian of a student unsure of their options post 16, this booklet breaks down what is out there for them once they leave school: https://t.co/Y6IhbHENRM pic.twitter.com/7NbIJHVDIf

— Government of Jersey (@GovJersey) August 24, 2023