Despite well-publicised reforms to the qualifications system, students at de Stafford are celebrating an outstanding set of GCSE results. New, harder content was included in the English and Maths specifications this year yet 66% of students managed to achieve the key threshold measure of 9-4 grades (equivalent to A*-C) in both these core subjects. This matches the school’s best ever set of examination results achieved last year under the old system and, with a number of students likely to improve their grades as a result of re-marked papers, this looks set to be another record-breaking year for de Stafford.

Headteacher, Jeremy Garner, said: “These outcomes do not happen by accident and are a testament to the dedication and hard-work invested by the students as well as the excellent support and guidance provided by staff, governors and parents. I am delighted that the cohort as a whole achieved such a fantastic set of results against a back-drop of such significant curriculum reform and change.

The fact that the vast majority of de Stafford students leave us with outcomes well above the national average in Year 11 is a reflection of the superb progress they have made in their time here. This year group contributed so much to the school community and we wish them all the very best for the future.”

The percentage of top grades awarded to de Stafford students has increased significantly in the past few years and this trend continued with the new 7-9 grading system. Holly Palmer, Jack Edun-Hughes, Holly Hillsey and Sakura Bloomfield all achieved the equivalent of straight A*/As (7-9) in all of their examinations, and the following students gained at least 8A/A* equivalents; Jacob Coombes, Darcy Braimoh, May Westcott, Taurea Gayle, Abbie Owen, Helen Naylor Burgess and Jamie Cousins.

Whilst rightly celebrating the fantastic achievements of the high attainers, the school was delighted with the progress made by all students from their different academic starting points on entry to the school in Year 7.

Any parent interested in looking around the school is encouraged to attend the school’s annual Open Evening on Thursday 14 September or book a tour to see the school in everyday action by contacting the school reception.