Students at Wykham Park Academy collect GCSE results

25/08/2022

Sam Coggins and Maya Ross

A bumper crop of students will be offered places at the Banbury Campus sixth form

An ice-cream van greeted students collecting their GCSEs at Wykham Park Academy this morning.   The treat was lined up as a reward for all their hard work.

This year’s Year 11 cohort were the first to sit physical GCSE exams, following the Covid-19 pandemic.   Some 36% of students achieved English & Maths at Grade 5 or above.   The school saw a 14% increase in students achieving grades 9 – 4 in science over 2019’s results – the last time examinations were sat.

Student Sam Coggins, 16, achieved Grade 8 in English Language & Maths, alongside grade 6s and a 7 in other subjects, together with a Merit for BTEC Business and a Distinction for Sport.

He said: “The last two years have been hard work. We missed quite a lot of classroom learning because of the pandemic, the online learning was good but it’s not the same. The teachers have been great about supporting us through extra revision sessions and helping us prepare for the exams so I felt confident going in to sit them.”

Maya Ross, 16, a student at Futures Institute achieved 6 Grade 9s, an 8 and a 7 and was the top performing student across the campus. She will be returning to study at Wykham’s Sixth Form in September.

Maya reflected on her path to the exams saying: “Online learning was not the same as being in a classroom. However, because our lessons were actual video calls there was more interaction and the discussions you would normally have with your classmates continued and there was interaction with teachers.

“I kept my usual routine of waking up at the same time everyday as if I was going to school which I think helped. I was well-supported by the school and felt listened to.

“I was anxious for my exams but because we did so many mocks during the year, I got used to doing the exams and the exam hall.

“I’m hoping to do A-level Chemistry, Biology and Maths and go to university and in the future maybe get a job in pharmacy.”

Sylvia Thomas, Principal of the Banbury secondary, said: “There will be a bumper crop of students offered a place at the Banbury Campus sixth form following another successful year for students achieving the highest grades which will secure them a place on A level courses.

“We are proud of the way that all of our students approached their exams this year following the two years of disruption they suffered through the pandemic. Their resilience and fortitude was notable and they worked with staff in countless extra sessions in the run up to May and June. Thank you to all parents who supported us too – our partnership with them is so important to their children’s success.

“We wish all of our year 11 cohort this year the very best for their futures.”


Published: by Banbury FM Newsteam

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