With the Government changing how GCSEs are graded, it has meant that students will be receiving their results numerically as opposed to using letters. The new system means that students are graded from 9 to 1, where a 7 is anchored at an old grade A, a 4 is a low C and a 1 equates to a grade G.

%image(15449861, type="article-full", alt="Helena Romanes pupil Lucy Turvey achieved nine Grade 9’s. Picture: CELIA BARTLETT PHOTOGRAPHY")

HELENA ROMANES SCHOOL

At Helena Romanes School and Sixth Form Centre, 58 per cent of pupils achieved a standard pass in English and maths.

The school said that 79 per cent of students achieved a ‘good pass’ in English.

Simon Knight, head teacher at Helena Romanes, said: “These results are evidence of the sustained performance across the school which, together with last week’s results at A Level, demonstrate that we continue to move in the right direction.

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“The dedication and hard work of students, with the support of parents and staff, has culminated in a very pleasing set of examination results. The school continues to improve and I am confident of further success in the future.”

Pupil Lucy Turvey, 16, cried with joy when she opened her results, to discover she had achieved nine Grade 9’s, one Grade 8, an A* and an A.

Lucy, who is planning on doing four A levels at Chelmsford County High as well as studying Russian and Italian GCSEs, said: “I am so relieved. I worked so hard, it just makes it all worth it.”

Emily Monk, who is currently volunteering in India for three weeks with the guides, achieved two grade 9’s in maths and georgraphy, six grade 8’s and a grade 7, two A*’s and an A.

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Emily, 16, is a guide leader in Dunmow and has just completed ten days volunteering in Pun.

Her mum, Kirsty Monk, said: “I haven’t heard from her for over a week so I need to tell her! I am very proud of her. She’s a very humble girl and works hard.”

Ella-Maria Bermingham, achieved a grade 9 in English language, a grade 8 in English literature and maths and hopes to become a detective.

Ella, 15, said: “I was very nervous because obviously there’s so much pressure now with the new grading system. I feel really relieved. It’s like a big weight has been lifted off my shoulder.”

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Ella said she will probably have a take away with friends to celebrate, after ringing her grandad who is in hospital to tell him the good news.

Aaron Cox was “ecstactic” with his grade 6 in dance, which he will continue to study at A Level and his grade in French.

He will celebrate by going out to dinner with friends to TGI Fridays.

Ceiani Fletcher will celebrate her results with her family at Carfest in Hampshire this weekend with her family.

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Ceiani, 16, who achieved an A* in business studies, a grade 8 in history and a grade 9 in English langauge and is planning to stay on at Helena Romanes, said: “I got better than I expected. I am very happy.”

Olivia O’Neill was “over the moon” with her results and has set her sights on working at the UN and helping victims of human trafficking.

Olivia, who achieved three Grade 9’s, five Grade 8’s, five A*’s and an A said: “When I opened my results I thought this is definitely the wrong envelope. I was shocked. I think I will be meeting some friends to celebrate and I think my family have got a bottle of champagne somewhere.”

Olivia added: “I want to go to uni and work in the UN, to work in human rights and human trafficking law. I am looking to do some volunteering in Argentina for victims of human trafficking, so I need to save money for that.”

%image(15449870, type="article-full", alt="Some of Felsted School's top performing pupils at GCSE. Picture: CONTRIBUTED")

Another high achiever was Oliver Venner who achieved 2 Grade 9’s, 3 Grade 8’s, 3 Grade 7’s and 2 A’s.

Nicole Fernandes and Megan Petts also did well. Nicole achieved achieving 1 Grade 9, 4 Grade 8’s, 3 Grade 7’s, 3 A*’s and 2A’s whilst Megan received 2 Grade 9’s, 2 Grade 8’s, 3 Grade 7’s, 1 Grade 6, 1 Grade 5 and an A.

FOREST HALL SCHOOL

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The 2017 summer exam season saw students sitting the new grade 9 to 1 GCSEs for the first time in maths and English, with the majority of other subjects switching to the new format this year.

The number of students who achieved a grade 4-9 in English and maths at the school, in Stansted, increased this year with 74 per cent of students getting the 9 to 4 grades English literature or language and 60 per cent scoring the 9 to 4 grades in maths.

Top performing students this year include: Lottie Whitmell (three 8s, three 7s, and three A grades), Kelly Banks (four 6s, a five, and an A grade), Jake Mullens ( a 9, two 7s and four 6 grades), and William Chapman ( a 9, two 8s, two 7s).

Forest Hall has been part of Burnt Mill Academy Trust since February 2015, with the mission to boost student numbers and exam results. The implementation of Saturday school, holiday school and revision sessions in all subject areas has enabled the students to achieve their very best.

%image(15449874, type="article-full", alt="Aaron Cox and his friend celebrate their GCSE results. Picture: CELIA BARTLETT PHOTOGRAPHY")

Head of school, Hannah Jones said: “I could burst with pride and joy for our exceptional students and their wonderful results. I am delighted that for the fourth year in a row GCSE results at Forest Hall School have improved. Each year, our students step up to the challenge and achieve fantastic results. I want to take a moment to applaud all our exceptional students, their teachers and their parents/carers for this amazing achievement.

“These exceptional results reinforce the ethos of our school. Our students work hard, have high expectations and aspire to achieve their highest potential. We believe that every student can achieve and be exceptional. The additional time staff have spent with the students in preparation for their examinations is evident in the great results.

“It is now time for our exceptional class of 2018 to leave us and follow their dreams. Good luck and remember, aim for the exceptional.”

Success also went to students entered early for GCSE examinations in Year 10 and 9. Students at Forest Hall School complete up to two option GCSEs in Year 9 or 10.

%image(15449875, type="article-full", alt="Helena Romanes pupil Aaron Cox was "ecstatic" with his results. Picture: CELIA BARTLETT PHOTOGRAPHY")

Top performing students included:

Year 10

Tommy Collins for achieving a grade 6 in Spanish and a grade 7 in history

Dennis Elsley for achieving a grade 8 in Spanish

%image(15449876, type="article-full", alt="Results envelopes are handed out to the students at Helena Romanes School. Picture: CELIA BARTLETT PHOTOGRAPHY")

Mame Seck for achieving a grade 6 in geography

Armani-Jai Newman for achieving a grade 8 in French

Year 9 -

Beni Bafwa for achieving a grade 6 in geography

Tabitha Tidiman for achieving a grade 7 in music

Fabrizio Morrone for achieving an A* in Italian

Libby Down for achieving a grade 7 in photography

FELSTED SCHOOL

Felsted pupils have recorded outstanding results in their GCSE exams this summer, following on from excellent results in A Levels and record results in the International Baccalaureate.

Head master, Chris Townsend, said: “There are some exceptional results this year, with several pupils achieving at least six GCSEs at grade 9, 10 achieving a full set of 7 to 9 grades (the equivalent of A and A*) and 48 per cent of all GCSE exams being graded at 7 to 9 (or equivalent).”

English excelled, with a pass rate of 100 per cent and 98 per cent of all candidates achieving at least a grade 6. Drama, English language, English literature, history, Latin and music all achieved more than 90 per cent at grade 6 or above, with physics, chemistry and biology just below that mark.

? 98 students took GCSEs this summer

? 48 per cent achieved grade 7 to 9

? 97 per cent pass rate (grade 4 to 9)

? 98 per cent achieved five GCSEs grade 4 to 9

? 95 per cent gained five GCSEs grade 4 to 9 including Maths and english

Felsted’s top scorer was Emma Jones who achieved a nine grade 9s and an A*, one of only 454 girls in the country to achieve this clean sweep.

She will be studying A Levels in maths, further maths, biology and chemistry at Felsted Sixth Form in September.

An academic and sports scholar, Emma is a talented young cricketer, who was part of Felsted’s national winning teams both indoor and outdoor last year.

Fenella Alexander, a weekly boarder from High Easter, achieved nine grade 9s and one grade 8. An academic and drama scholar, Fenella has been involved with all aspects of Felsted School life, including taking on a starring role in Felsted’s performance of Les Miserables last year.

She will be staying at Felsted to study the International Baccalaureate Diploma in French, history, chemistry, biology, English and maths.

David Townsend, aged 16, from Felsted, achieved seven grade 9s, two grade 8s and one grade 7 and will be staying at Felsted to study A Levels in government and politics, maths, biology and chemistry. An academic scholar, David combines his

Studies with a love of cricket and rugby, and is hoping to go on to study veterinary science.

Araminta Latham, aged 16, and a weekly boarder from Stebbing, achieved six grade 9s, three grade 8s and one grade 7. An academic and sports scholar, Araminta balances her studies with a love of tennis, hockey and netball, representing Felsted on hockey tour in South Africa and netball tour in Barbados over the past two years. She will be staying at Felsted to study A Levels in geography, maths and physical education.