A* Performance at John Fisher
Building on last year’s success, The John Fisher School has sustained its excellent GCSE results achieving 80% 5 A*-C (4+) including English and Maths despite the pressures and challenges related to examination changes. 92% of students secured a 4+ in Maths and 86% of students gained a 4+ grade either in English Language or English Literature (91% including iGCSE). Over one quarter (26%) of all the school’s GCSE grades in Maths and English were a 7+, the equivalent to an A*-A grade.
At a time of great turbulence with a new examination system, the school is very pleased with the achievement of its students. These results include superb performance at the highest grades, as almost one in four of all exam entries received A*/A (7, 8 or 9).
76% of all grades in Chemistry were A*-A grades and almost half of all grades in Physics (48%) and Biology (46%) were A* and A grades. Further outstanding performances across the board in Music (43% A*/A), Art (34% A*/A), French (33% A*/A), Geography (32% A*/A) and Economics (31% A*/A).
Three quarters or more of the students achieved an A*-C grades in Drama (100%), Sports Studies (92%), Media Studies (81%), History (78%), Design Technology (77%) and Business Studies (75%). The school also achieved strong results in Spanish (73%) and RE (72%).
Headteacher, Mr McCullagh, said: ‘We have a very proud comprehensive tradition at John Fisher and whilst the number of A/A* (7, 8, 9) grades across so many subject areas is fantastic, it is the performance of our disadvantaged students who have significantly over-performed in comparison to their peers which has delighted us. We have consistently performed well in the core subjects and I am thrilled with this year’s excellent success in subjects such as Drama, Sport Studies and Media Studies. We also did brilliantly in languages and students have achieved top grades in French, Spanish, Italian and Russian. I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate all of our students on their deserved success in examinations which are deliberately designed to be tougher. The school’s performance across the full range of subjects is also a great reward for the dedicated work sustained over two years by the staff who have constantly supported the students to ensure they fulfil their potential.’
Behind the statistics and numbers, there are many astonishing success stories. The following students achieved A*/A’s & 7, 8 or 9 across the board and are now about to embark on the next stage of their learning journey at Sixth Form: Alexander Limb (9A*, 2A’s), Jonathan Neary (8A*, 3A’s), Alexander Grady (8A*, 1A), Robbie Genco (6A*, 6A’s), Matthew Colverd (6A*, 5A’s) and Oliver Gaedke (4A*, 5A’s).
Alexander Limb and Matthew Colverd were awarded a ‘9’ (Exceptional performance) in Maths along with Aidan Coyne, Harim Rajasooriyar and Luke Roberts. Four students were also awarded a ‘9’ (Exceptional performance) in English: Charlie Browne, Harry Diver, Maximillian Goonetillake and Matthew Kerwick. Matthew was involved in a road traffic accident in the first term last year and has shown phenomenal resilience during his recovery period in Year 11 to end up achieving 2A* and 8A’s in his GCSE’s.
