Grange School students continue to excel as GCSE results outperform 2019

GCSE Results Day brought another day of celebration at The Grange with almost three quarters of all GCSE entries at grades 7 to 9. Despite national uncertainty created by the pandemic, the GCSE cohort’s dedication paid off as they outperformed the last set of public examinations in 2019.

Grange staff who have guided students throughout their journey could not be more proud of them all. Head of Year, Leah Davenport said “The Year 11 Class of 2022 have been a truly exceptional year group to work with. Seeing them grow into accomplished young adults with such bright futures has been a privilege. Throughout their time at The Grange they have continually impressed with their positivity and determination to succeed, despite the challenges of the past couple of years. This set of examination results is a real testament to their hard work and they should be immensely proud of themselves.”

Over half of all GCSE entries were at the top grades of grade 8 or 9. One student achieving the rare feat of a clean sweep of grade 9s is Zoe Hildred, “I’m still in shock at these results. I’m going to study English Literature, History and French at A Level. Eventually I would love to study English at University.” Alongside her academic achievements, Zoe really made the most of the enrichment programme offered at The Grange; playing netball for the school, taking part in school productions and performing with both the orchestra and string ensemble.

There is double cause for celebration in the Hildred family as Zoe’s twin brother Max also achieved all grade 9s at GCSE. “I will be taking A Levels at The Grange Sixth Form in Music, Economics, Maths and Economics. Of all of these subjects, music is my passion – I love it and I think that is probably what I’d like to go on to study further. I also play the drums and piano too, but if I decide to go to a Conservatoire I’d go for the saxophone.” Getting ‘stuck in’ must run in the family, as Max balanced his studies with a huge array of enrichment activities including singing with the school’s barbershop harmony group, basketball, playing with the school Concert Band and working with other students as part of the Peer Support team.

Such success reflects the wholehearted approach this year group have had – making the most making every educational opportunity provided by The Grange. One in ten of the cohort were part of the ‘Little Shop of Horrors’ production cast, crew and band, dedicating many hours to put on a five-show run just three months before their examinations. After the buzz of putting on a critically acclaimed production, the cast and crew have every right to be proud of a performance of a different kind as these students achieved 90% grade 7 to 9 in the examination hall.

As well as academic success, The Grange has a strong tradition in Outdoor Education and like previous cohorts this year group have fully embraced the Duke of Edinburgh Award. Despite the disruption created by Covid-19, the vast majority have undertaken their Bronze D of E and contributed to the 1,750 hours of volunteering achieved by The Grange last academic year. It is typical of this year group’s enthusiasm for school life that a quarter of them headed straight from their GCSE examinations onto their D of E Silver expeditions.

Amongst that group of students undertaking both Bronze and Silver alongside their GCSEs was Remi Livesey, who has achieved straight grade 9s. “I’m staying at The Grange Sixth Form for A Levels and I will be studying Chemistry, Maths, Biology alongside an EPQ on a scientific topic. I’d like to go into medicine as I just really love the sciences. I did some work experience at Macclesfield Hospital and it was one of the best experiences of my life. Just seeing how the different components of the hospital worked together was really interesting. That was the point when I thought ‘this is for me’.”

Remi is one of many students celebrating success with so many top grades across the year group. 40% of all GCSE grades in the Biology, Chemistry and Physics are at grade 9. Student Lucy Staples commented, “I was hoping I’d do well but I can’t believe that I got ten 9 grades! I will be staying at The Grange to do A Level Biology, Chemistry, Maths and Further Maths. Ultimately, I’d like to study Biochemistry at University. I find the sciences really interesting.” Not to be outdone, Geography, History and Religious Studies matched this achievement with 40% of grades in Humanities at grade 9. Testimony to The Grange’s diversity of curriculum 90% of all GCSE grades in Art, Graphic Design, 3D and Textiles were at 7 to 9.

Head of The Grange School, Dr Lorraine Earps said of this year’s GCSE results,

“We know the uncertainty and pressure that all GCSE students have all experienced due to the pandemic and this group of students have shown great fortitude in rising to every challenge. I am absolutely delighted to celebrate with them today and they should all be very proud of their achievements. It has been a pleasure to get to know this cohort and all Grange staff are looking forward to working with them more closely in our Sixth Form.”