Pictured above: Student Emily, who achieved ten 9s and one 8, celebrates with her family. She will study Geography, Maths, French and English for A Level in the Sixth Form
The efforts and hard work of Year 11 students at St Joseph’s College, Reading, have resulted in excellent GCSE outcomes again this year. Despite returning to externally assessed exams, candidates have improved the percentage of top grades achieved.
An impressive 25% of all exams were awarded a grade 9 up from 17% last year when teachers awarded grades. A pleasing 46% of entries achieved 9-8 (27% in 2019) and 68% of entries achieved grades 9-7.
12% of students succeeded in gaining a grade 8 or above in all of their subjects, with 21% achieving grade 7 and above in all subjects (straight As and A*s under the former grading system).
Of noticeable success was Computer Science, where all pupils achieved a grade 9. In Maths, Further Maths, Geography, Art & Design, Food Tech and ICT, 80% or more of pupils passed with grades 9-7.
Head Laura Stotesbury said: “I am delighted by these GCSE results which are a testimony to all the hard work that students have put in over the past two years – both in school and when having to learn remotely during the various lockdowns. I am thrilled by how many students have chosen to remain at St Joseph’s College to study for their A Levels and by how many new students are joining us in Year 12 this September. With a newly refurbished Sixth Form Centre and cafe, I am sure they will enjoy Sixth Form life and, in a few years, we will be celebrating their A Level results!
When considered alongside our strong set of A Level results last week, it is clear that St Joseph’s College is gaining a reputation for academic success as strong as its excellent pastoral care. This is thanks to the hard work of our impressive staff who keep the young people at the centre of all that we do.”
Ben (pictured right) achieved nine 9s and one 8 and is really happy with his results. He is going to study four A Levels in Physics, Maths, Further Maths and Computer Science. He is looking forward to joining the Sixth Form and can’t wait to take advantage of the new pizza oven in the newly refurbished Sixth Form Centre!
He would love to go to Oxford University and undertake scientific research but as yet he is still deciding on which field. Ben joined the College in Year 9 and he feels it has given him the extra support and encouragement he needed to achieve his goals. Alongside his academic work, he enjoys playing rugby and football.
Zain achieved seven 9s, two 8s and one 7 and is now going to study A Levels in Maths, Physics and Chemistry. He hopes to go onto university to study something in either Finance, Engineering, or possibly follow in his mum’s footsteps and study Dentistry.
He is looking forward to studying his chosen subjects in more depth in Sixth Form. Alongside his academic studies, Zain is a keen sportsman and is an active member of the St Joseph’s rugby team.
Maia (pictured right) was extremely happy with her GCSE results this morning, achieving grade 7 or above in all her subjects. She is staying at St Joseph’s to study A Levels in Spanish, Chemistry and hopes to go on to university to study either Medicine or Biochemistry. She is very much looking forward to focusing on the subjects she loves at A Levels, and the increased independent study that Sixth Form will allow her.
Maia started at St Joseph’s in Year 7 and feels that the College has hugely increased her confidence in her own abilities and her belief in herself. She described how the teachers taught her to persevere and not give up, enabling her to move into top sets in her subjects. She said that the teachers’ support has been fantastic throughout her time here.
Maia recently had a lead part in the College’s ‘Made in Dagenham’ production, she is an excellent public speaker and is looking forward to continuing to participate in the school choirs, which she enjoys very much.
Aakash was pleased with his GCSE results of four 9s and four 8s and is going on to study A Levels in Maths, Music and Economics at St Joseph’s. He hopes to pursue a degree in Economics after his A Levels and is hoping to study at either University College London or the London School of Economics.
A keen sportsman and musician, Aakash is looking forward to continuing these other pursuits in Sixth Form as well as enjoying the more independent study and college style learning. Aakash started at St Joseph’s in Early Years and feels that the strong friendships he has made over the years have helped him to achieve his successes.
Nathan is very pleased with his results of seven 9s and three 8s and is now going onto study History, English Literature and Geography A Levels. He is excited to see the new Sixth Form Centre as he was involved in the design and discussion about what could be included.
Nathan is particularly interested in 19th and 20th Century History and Political History and would like to study History at Oxford University.
He has been at the College since Reception and is an active member of a number of the clubs including History Club and STEM.
