Outstanding progress continues at Grace Academy

Outstanding progress continues at Grace Academy

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This year Grace Academy achieved its best results ever after an outstanding 70% of students attained A* to C grades in GCSE English and Maths, a rise of 33% since 2014.

In English 81% of students achieved A* to C grades and 83% made expected progress this year, leading to results well above the national average and on a par with the best English departments in the country.

In Maths 73% of students achieved A* to C grades this year, up 16% on last year and up 34% since 2014, while 61% of students made the expected progress in Maths.  Shaun Donald, Head of Maths, said:

“Over the last two years there has been a relentless focus on ensuring outstanding teaching and learning in Mathematics lessons, based on a solid understanding of what each and every student does and does not know. We have found that when students can tangibly see they are improving they not only enjoy Mathematics lessons, but work even harder to achieve.”

Overall, 68% of students achieved five A* to C grades, including English and Maths, up 18% compared to last year and a rise of 34% over the past two years.

Greg Godwin, Vice Principal who has helped to strengthen leadership, teaching and assessments across the Academy, said:

“There has been a focus on improving teaching and learning, motivating students and raising their aspirations, and an incisive focus on the progress of individuals to ensure what we deliver is specific to the student.  When you improve the quality of teaching and learning in the classroom, you improve results.”

Many students went on to achieve excellent individual results and Year 11 student Chloe Sutton, who achieved 4A*s, 1A and 3Bs, across a range of subjects, said:

“I am really surprised, I keep laughing and I don’t know why. At A Level I am doing English Literature, Philosophy and History and I hope to be a university professor, either teaching History or English. These results have proven that I can be successful in the future. Having teachers there to support me whenever I needed them really helped me to achieve these results.”

Student Ryan McGibbon, who achieved 4A*s and 4As, added:

“I am amazed as I wasn’t expecting to get these results. It means I can stay on at Sixth Form and do Physics, Maths and Business, and gives me lots of options for my future career.”

The Principal Darren Gelder, who has overseen the continued improvement in the students’ results over the last two years, said:

“This is a true reflection of the hard work and dedication of the students, parents, carers and staff at the Academy. They thoroughly deserve what they have achieved which places us, for the second year running, as one of the most improved Academies in the region.”