LIVE: GCSE results day 2021 as Sheffield pupils receive their grades

Sheffield Springs Academy praised its students’ ‘hard work and determination’ after what it called a ‘challenging’ 18 months.

It said Teacher Assessed Grades had been awarded after pupils sat moderated examinations and completed a variety of coursework to demonstrate the progress they had made.

Among those celebrating their GCSEs today were:

Commenting on today’s achievements, Mark Shipman, principal at Sheffield Springs Academy, said: “The past 18 months have been very challenging for our students and staff due to Covid-19, so I am particularly pleased to be congratulating our students and thanking our staff for their hard work towards the qualifications being awarded today.

“With these, our students our students will either go straight into the world of work or continue with their education. Each student celebrating today can be proud of their achievements and their resilience during what has been an unprecedented period.”

Students and staff at Sheffield Park Academy were celebrating this morning as GCSE grades were revealed.

As part of this assessment process, pupils at Sheffield Park sat moderated exams and completed a variety of coursework to demonstrate the progress they had made.

Star students there included:

Many students will now be preparing to go to Sheffield South East Sixth Form – which combines the Sheffield Park and Springs Academies – to begin their A Level and equivalent courses.

The sixth form saw a strong set of university offers, including at some highly regarded Russell Group universities such as Imperial College London and the University of Manchester.

Roland Freeman, principal at Sheffield Park Academy, said: “It has been wonderful today to see our students’ sense of satisfaction and relief as they received their GCSE qualifications. In what has been a particularly challenging 18 months, our students have risen to the occasion and worked hard across the curriculum.

“We look forward to welcoming many of them back to our joint Sixth Form with Sheffield Springs Academy – Sheffield South East Sixth Form – where they will enjoy a further two years before taking their steps into education and further education. I would like to congratulate those students celebrating today and thank staff for their hard work in encouraging and supporting our GCSE cohort.”

Pupils at Sheffield’s Birkdale School are being congratulated on their GCSE successes despite the unprecedented circumstances and challenges they faced during their studies.

Twenty six percent of results were the highest possible grade 9 with nearly half at the top two grades, 9 or 8. Every result achieved was an overall pass (grades 4-9) with two-thirds at grades 9 – 7 (equivalent previously to A** to A)

Among the other headlines across a full range of subjects: Science results were outstanding with 57 percent of all grades across Chemistry, Physics and Biology at level 9 or 8.

Three-quarters of those studying Geography achieved the highest possible grade 9.

In Computing, 80 percent of all entries achieved grade 9 or 8.

Design & Technology continues to thrive with 65 percent of pupils achieving grade 9 or 8.

The Art department continued their success of this week’s A levels with 65% of students receiving grade 9 or 8.

Overall, 11 subjects achieved over 30% of grades at 9 or 8 – including Drama, Music and Religious Studies.

Birkdale School Head Master Peter Harris said: “I want to congratulate every pupil at Birkdale on their GCSE results which are the outcome of years of hard work, effort and dedication.

We should also thank everyone who has supported them – from teachers and staff, to parents, family and friends.”

“There has never been an academic year like this – students have experienced disruption to their studies beyond our control over the past 18 months; but have risen to the challenge and reaped the rewards for their hard work.

“During periods of lockdown we moved seamlessly to our excellent remote learning provision, which has enabled our pupils to achieve highly today.

“We look forward to welcoming the majority of those pupils receiving their grades back to Birkdale for Sixth Form in September as they begin the next stage of their journey.”

Sheffield Girls’ Head Nina Gunson praised her pupils’ resilience, commitment and hard work today, as pupils received their GCSE results.

She said: “It was fabulous to see all our Year 11 students this morning and share their GCSE results with them.

“We were so disappointed for them when public examinations were cancelled once again this year but they have worked so consistently throughout their GCSE courses, whether in school or via Guided Home Learning, and shown such positivity throughout. They have achieved amazing results - I could not be more proud of them!”

42 per cent of Sheffield Girls’ students achieved Grades 8 or 9 in all their subjects and the school continued its three year trend of over 75 percent of all results being awarded at grade 7 or above.

Results day is traditionally the time the academic strengths of the school are showcased, but it is also a great opportunity to review the many other successes, achievements and community contributions of Sheffield Girls’ Year 11s over the last, quite exceptional, year.

Students demonstrated their continued commitment to extra-curricular pursuits with individuals and teams’ successes in national debating, public speaking and Classics competitions, plus triumphs across numerous sports.Year 11 student Samira Sanders’ humanitarian work secured her the prestigious, global, young person’s Diana Award 2021 for the #frontlinepin campaign she launched with her brother Daniel, which donated special pins to frontline workers during the coronavirus pandemic. Over 24,000 pins were donated, after the pair raised over £12,000.

Samira is a shining example of the School’s three core values of kindness, positivity and courage. These are values that the Year 11 students have demonstrated in abundance during the pandemic.

In December, they teamed up with students from across the school to donate gifts and food to local refugee families and food banks, they took part in carol singing at a local nursing home and wrote Christmas cards and letters to older generations, as part of a wider project run by Age UK.

The Year 11 Drama group developed content throughout the year with Head of Drama, Mrs Heery, for the Talking News charity, whilst the Duke of Edinburgh Silver Award participants were involved in volunteering activities across the region as restrictions were lifted.

Even after their GCSE courses and assessments had finished, the girls showed their commitment to growth and continued learning by taking part in the School’s Limitless Learning programme, making the most of events such as virtual work experience days and preparing for the next steps in their education by completing A Level bridging courses.

Nick Wilkes, whose daughter Millie passed 10 GCSEs, said: “Millie chose to come to an all girls school. Her whole experience here has been amazing. We have seen her grow as a person. She has become a confident young woman with a great set of friends. We have been seriously impressed with Sheffield Girls.”Classics buff Maddie Maxwell, who achieved 10 GCSEs at Grade 9, added: “I was very nervous earlier today but now I’m relieved and so pleased. We have had so much support from the school in what could have been such a stressful year. I couldn’t have done it without the teachers and my friends here.”

Nina Gunson added: “This year has been a reminder that examinations aren’t everything. This remarkable group of students have developed broad and deep subject knowledge and skills across the sciences, mathematics, English, modern and classical languages, humanities, sport and the arts.

“They have grasped opportunities for challenge and enrichment and demonstrated determination, adaptability and grit in abundance. They have displayed kindness, compassion, pride and community spirit. What more can be the aim of a school education?

“I am delighted that the majority of our students will be staying at Sheffield Girls’ for their A Level studies and I look forward to welcoming them into the Sixth Form in September, after a well-earned rest.”

Stocksbridge High School Headteacher, Andy Ireland said: “Congratulations to all students receiving their grades today.

“Despite the huge challenges and disruption of the last 18 months our students have shown incredible determination and, combined with a lot of hard work, have returned a very successful set of results.

“This would not have been possible without the resolute support from parents, carers and families. I would also like to thank all the school staff that have worked so hard to maintain learning and support throughout the pandemic and went above and beyond to ensure today’s results are fair.”

After an extraordinary year which has seen students have to deal with the pandemic alongside their studies, there were scenes of joy at a Sheffield school as students collected their results.

Outwood Academy City said the highlights for the academy in subjects including English, Mathematics, the sciences and languages where students have really excelled.

The arts have also been a strength of the academy, not least GCSE Photography, where 100 percent of the students achieved a Grade 5 or higher.

Andrew Downing, Principal at Outwood Academy City, said: “The last 18 months have been unprecedented and the way the students have handled the changing circumstances has been inspirational at times.”

“I am so proud of them and it was brilliant to share in some of their joy today as they received their results. We wish them all the very best for the future and we are excited to see what they achieve in the future. Students, supported by their families and our teachers, have done everything they could and should rightly be proud of what they have achieved.”

So many students have been successful in achieving the grades they required for progression. However, a couple of standout success stories include Leah Houston who achieved 8 Grade 9s and 1 Grade 8 and Oscar Bower], who achieved an amazing 9 Grade 9s.

Leah Houston, who is planning on going to Silverdale 6th Form, said: “I’m really happy with these results having worked really hard for five years through school closures. I’m excited to be taking up a place at Silverdale 6th Form studying Maths, Further Maths, Physics and Chemistry. The support for Outwood Academy City has been amazing and I’m grateful for everything that they have done.”

Oscar Bower who is planning on going to All Saints 6th Form studying Maths, Further Maths, Chemistry and Computer Science said: “I was incredibly nervous until I opened the results envelope, when I felt exhilarated with a mixture of relief and pride. This school is the best school I could have possibly chosen to go to, I have flourished here. The staff are passionate about their subjects and the students and have always gone the extra mile to support me.

“While this has been a difficult time with disruptions and a lack of face to face teaching, I have tried to learn in new ways at home. To succeed I have put in everything I possibly can. If I’m given work, I do it. You can’t achieve if you try to cut corners.”

Julie Slater, Chief Executive Principal Secondary at Outwood, said: “These fantastic results are the just rewards for the inspirational resilience and determination shown by the students, and staff, during one of the most challenging years the education sector has ever faced. “I am beyond proud of the achievements of our students and I wish them the very best for the future. If they continue with the same work ethic as they’ve displayed over the last 12 months, I am certain they will be successful in whatever they choose to do.”

Wales High School has seen some outstanding achievements by its students in their GCSE qualifications this summer despite a year of uncertainties and various lockdowns.

Amongst others celebrating were Josh Lee and Simeon Jones.

Josh achieved an impressive seven grade 9s and two grade 8s and is planning to return to Wales High School Sixth Form to study Maths, Further Maths, Physics and Accounting. Simeon gained nine grade 9s and two grade 7s and is also returning to Wales to study Chemistry, Maths, Further Maths and Geography.

Also celebrating was Louis Gadd, who is delighted to have achieved the grades to begin his Public Services course at Sheffield College, with a view to joining the fire service in the future.

This year, following the cancellation of exams, grades were awarded through a process of teacher assessed grades, against a national standard and approved and awarded by the exam boards. The government is not publishing performance data for any schools or colleges this year due to the varying impact of the pandemic.

Pepe Di’Iasio, Headteacher, said: “Over the past two years, we have seen our students take on challenges not only related to the normal course of GCSE study, but difficulties that have arisen due to the ever-changing national picture.

“Today, we celebrate how our students have worked diligently to overcome those difficulties. Our teachers have worked tirelessly to ensure students are all able to progress onto further education and study, and we look forward to seeing what they will achieve in the future.”

Students from Firth Park Academy are today celebrating their GCSE results, having faced months away from school as a result of national lockdowns and Covid restrictions.

Given the circumstances, the Government decided that students’ results would be determined by teachers this year.

Each school has considered carefully what a fair grade is for each student, based on what they have been able to learn and achieve during the last two years. These grades were submitted to the exam boards together with supporting evidence, and then quality assured by the exam boards.

This year the following students did particularly well and will go on to pursue a number of exciting post-16 paths:

Dean Jones, Headteacher of Firth Park Academy said: “I am delighted for our Year 11 students – they have worked so hard, both this year and last year, despite all of the challenges and disruption that Covid brought.

“They deserve these grades and I am incredibly proud of what each and every one of them has achieved. Whether they are going onto study A Levels, vocational qualifications, or going into employment or training, they have a bright future ahead.”

David Hatchett, National Director of Secondary Schools at AET said: “Today’s GCSE results are testament to the hard work of students over what has been a very disruptive two years. I congratulate each and every one of them, and pay tribute to our teachers who have made today’s results possible in these challenging circumstances.”