Exam Results 2011

Wednesday 7 September 2011

On Thursday 25 August, the ‘Class of 2011’, received confirmation of the outcomes of all of their hardwork. Their results reflect the commitment staff and pupils make to ensuring we can all achieve more than we first think we can. As a year group, they met and exceeded our expectations. As we welcome pupils back after the summer break, we are delighted to congratulate the ‘Class of 2011’, and pupils in other year groups who took some of their GCSEs early, on their achievements.

Overall, the ‘Class of 2011’ achieved a phenomenal 87% 5 or more A*-C grades and a commendable 68% 5 or more A*-C grades including English and Maths. 24% of all grades awarded were A*-A grades. Performance in the core subjects, English, Maths and Science, was particularly strong: 84% of pupils made ‘expected progress’ in English and 77% made ‘expected progress in Maths. Importantly, every pupil in the ‘Class of 2011’ leaves Deer Park with one or more Grade C or above. This, and the 100% 5 or more A*-G grades reflects our truly comprehensive status.

In keeping with previous years, boys and girls did equally well and there are some fantastic individual performances worthy of mention. 29 pupils, more than the equivalent of a whole class, achieved 8 or more A*-A grades.

Highest achiever, Laura Hobson, secured 11.5 A* grades, 2 As and a B and she plans to build on these excellent foundations by pursuing her studies in Maths, French, Geography, Biology and Fine Art. Laura and many of her peers have enrolled at Cirencester College and, most in the ‘Class of 2011’ will continue in education. We were pleased to learn that two years on, 21 former pupils of Deer Park achieved 3 or more A*-A grades at Cirencester College.

Looking back at each pupil’s starting point when they joined us in Year 7 in 2006, Ashu Sharma made the most progress. Moving from a average National Curriculum of Level 4 at the end of Key Stage 2, he achieved 11.5 A*-C grades, including 3 As and 4 Bs. Ashu goes on to study Chemistry, Physics, Maths and Computing at Cirencester College.

In Key Stage 4 pupils are able to study a broad range of subjects. Some chose to pursue a purely academic route. 27% of pupils in the ‘Class of 2011’ followed subjects that make up the new English Baccalaureate. 77% of pupils chose to take at least one vocational course and the quality of their portfolios in Art, Business, and Performing Arts, earnt them a significant number of Distinctions and Distinction*s!

218 pupils in last year’s Year 10 sat their GCSE Short Course in Religious Philosophy. The cohort achieved 85% A*-C grades, but within this, an incredible 51% achieved A*-A grades. 102 pupils in this year group sat their GCSE Statistics exam: 95% achieved A*-C grades and 31% A*-A grades. These outcomes show great promise! We will be supporting them in Year 11 and monitoring their progress closely to ensure every pupil can succeed. This dialogue starts with our Year 11 Parents’ Evening on Thursday 15 September.

Over the last four years, we have offered pupils in Year 9 the opportunity to sit a GCSE Short Course in Design and, consistently, the groups do exceptionally well. This year, 37 pupils achieved 97% A*-C grades in Product Design and 27% A*-A grades.

Bi-lingual pupils, or pupils who join the school with English as an additional language, are encouraged to take a GCSE in their native tongue. This year, individual pupils in Years 7, 8 and 10 who worked independently with some coaching, achieved grades A* or A in French, Dutch, Spanish and Russian.