LIVE GCSE UPDATES: Many Doncaster pupils 'upgraded' by exam boards as pupils celebrate GCSE joy

While a week ago, youngsters were concerned over exam boards downgrading their A Levels, this week saw many youngsters grades ‘upped’ by the exam boards from the original teachers assessments.

At McAuley School, in Cantley, three pupils were celebrating achievening many grades nines – the top grade that is available in the GCSEs – as Rose Sansom and Eshan Ojha each made and nine grade nines, and Eliza Longstaff achieved 10 grade nines.

Headteacher John Rooney said: “We’re very pleased for the pupils. We feel the pupils have achieved what they deserved. There has been a five per cent uplift on what had been the teachers grades, although we don’t have the grades for BTEC yet.”

Exam board Pearson said it would be re-grading all its BTECs to bring them in line with A-levels and GCSEs, which are now being graded via school-based assessments.

Mr Rooney added: “We have been able to confirm 190 offers to kids for places in the sixth form, giving them that certainty. We’re pleased the GCSE pupils have not had the anxiety that saw last week over A Levels.”

Doncaster’s free school, XP, also reported some grades had been uplifted by the exam board.

Principal Jamie Portman said: “We’re really proud of what the pupils have achieved.

“This was a very, very positive day for our students, and builds upon the excellent outcomes from our first set of GCSE results of 2019. This unique results day now acts as a moment to look forward and in our case, be grateful that the hard work of students and the dedication of our staff has yielded the results that will enable all of our Year 11’s to move forward confidently to the next stage of their education."

Pupils came in to pick up their results within groups of around a dozen, known at at the school as ‘crews’, and were given them individually.Individual success stories included Annabelle Daley (three Grade nines and a Grade eight), Ben Wheatcroft (three Grade nines), Paige Carter (four Grade nines) ans Kiera Durkin (two grade nines and a grade eight).

Hayfield School, in Auckley, also confirmed it saw pupils upgraded. Assistant headteacher Ben Robertson said: “These results recognise the tremendous effort, commitment and talent of the students and prove that nothing can stop them from achieving their ambitions in the future. In a year where we all need a good news story, our Year 11 students have provided us with 180 individual good news stories.

“The teachers and support staff at The Hayfield School are incredibly proud of each and every one of them.”

Pupils obtaining high grades included Emma Routledge (nine grade nines, two grade eights), Anni Hodgkinson (eight grade nines, two grade eights), Natasha Hodgson (eight grade nines) and Eila McGovern (seven grade nines, one grade eight, two grade sevens)

At Outwood Academy Adwick, principal Andy Scruby said the school was proud of its pupils. He said: “Despite the challenges and disruption that they could not have prepared for, the resolute attitudes and hard work of both students and teachers has been rewarded with the grades they have achieved. I am sure these results will form the foundations to brilliant futures.”

Top achievers included Reuben Blenkinsop (seven grade nines, and a grade eight), Josh North (four grade nines, three grade eights and two grade sevens), Eva Woodward (two grade nines, two grade eights and a grade seven) and Caser Teale (two grade nines, two grade eights, a grade seven and three grade sixes)

Trinity Academy in Thorne saw grades uplifted by around 3.5 per cent.

Pupils came in to pick their grades up in small, alphabetically arranged groups throughout the morning

Vice Principal David Bedford said the school was proud to see pupils receive the recognition they deserved.

Among the outstanding success stories at Trinity were Jacob Page, with eight grade nines and two grade eights; and Hannah Croucher with eight grade nines and three grade eights.

Hannah said she had enjoyed a friendly rivalry with Jacob that goes right back to their time at Green Top Primary School and said the grades, reflected the hard work she

had out in over her time at Trinity”. Jacob thanked his teachers for their support throughout a difficult year.

At Campsmount Academy, at Norton, Principal Adam Dale said it was a privilege to share the celebrations with his Year 11s following their ‘exceptional’ GCSE results.

He said: “Despite what has been a most unusual academic year the results are testament to their hard work and resilience over many years. Staff have to be congratulated for their commitment to the students and for supporting them to achieve these truly great results.

“There have been some outstanding performances from individuals within the year group and we must celebrate these students for their dedication to their studies. Georgina Vizard, Oliver Storey, Lily Smith, Cory Newman Mahoney and Karina Millard attained an amazing 49 grade eight and nines between them! Also we must celebrate the progress of DJ Hepworth, Emma Myers and Declan Bradford amongst many, many others. In fact it is the collective performance of every student which has meant that the results day has been just a success.”

At Astrea Academy Woodfields, the highest grades went to Jakub Zietek (average grade of 7.75), and Amber Cooke (average grade of seven).

But the school also praised Alexandra Rowe who secured a progress eight value added score of 2.25.

Adam Atkinson, headteacher, said: “During what has been an unprecedented time for both staff and students, these results are a big step forward for our academy and a credit to our staff and students. I am so proud of the achievements of our students at Astrea Academy Woodfields.

“We would like to wish our students great success in the future, I and hope they all go on to fulfil their aspirations, taking their next step on their journey to excellence.”

Independent school Hill House saw over 99 per cent of exams were passed this year at grade four or above.

Sam Honeybone and Martha Warren-Barrett had 10 grade nines each, with Doncaster Youth MP Anna Russin achieving nine grade nines and a

grade eight.

England junior hockey player Daisy Bennett gained 10 GCSEs at grade seven or above.

Jayne Gaunt, principal at Outwood Academy Danum, at Intake, said her school has seen soe exceptional performances during what had been an

incredibly difficult year for students who had their studies curtailed by the covid-19 pandemic just as they were really getting into their stride, during their mock exams.

She said: “Their resilience and hard work have been exceptional and today they have achieved excellent grades.

"Today was the culmination of the incredible hard work by the students of year 11 in the most difficult of circumstances. This year group has been amazing and truly deserve

the grades they have achieved today. We are very happy for them all.’ There were exceptional performances from a number of students, however everyone should feel

very proud of what they have achieved.”

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news on this free-to-read site, I am asking you to also please purchase a copy of our newspaper.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards in the world. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news and information by buying a copy of our newspaper.

Thank you

Nancy Fielder, editor