Island Schools Celebrate GCSE Success With Standout Results And Individual Achievements

Students across the Isle of Wight are celebrating their GCSE and vocational results today (Thursday), with schools reporting a range of strong performances and individual achievements.

From record results at Ryde School to outstanding grades at Priory School and impressive performances at Lift Ryde, students are now preparing for the next stage of their education, training or careers.

Ryde School

Ryde School is celebrating what it describes as its best GCSE results since the 9-1 grading system was introduced, excluding the Covid-adjusted years.

Almost a third of all GCSE grades — 31.4% — were at grade 9 or 8, while almost half were at grades 9, 8 or 7.

Some 43% of pupils achieved five or more GCSEs at grade 7 or above, while almost two-thirds secured five or more grades at 6 or above.

Overall, 94.9% of grades were between 9 and 4.

There were also some exceptional individual performances.

Zie C and Annabelle S each achieved seven grade 9s and two grade 8s.

Nathan P, Rio W, Harriet A, Isabelle H and Sophie T each gained eight GCSEs at grades 9 or 8.

Yaroslav K, Lucy A and Aria L each achieved seven GCSEs at grades 9 or 8.

Head Master Will Turner said the results reflected pupils' ambition and hard work, alongside the quality of teaching at the school.

He also pointed to the school's strong results earlier this summer, including its best A Level performance since 2014 and its highest-ever IB Diploma results.

Medina College

At Medina College, Year 11 students have been celebrating the culmination of five years of study.

The school says pupils have demonstrated resilience, determination and commitment, with students now moving on to a variety of destinations.

Many will continue their studies at The Island VI Form, while others are taking up apprenticeships, further training or employment.

Executive Headteacher Jess Paul said:

“Today is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate our Year 11 students and everything they have achieved.

"I am proud of every single student today and am pleased to see them leaving Medina with purpose, opportunity and genuine hope for their future.”

She also thanked staff and families for their support throughout the students' time at the school.

A limited number of places remain available at The Island VI Form for Year 11 students who are still considering their options.

Lift Ryde

There was also plenty of celebration at Lift Ryde, where students collected GCSE and vocational results after a year of revision sessions and additional support.

Among the standout performances were:

• Evie Cox — nine grade 9s and a grade 8, returning to Lift Ryde Sixth Form.

• Emily Snelling — nine grade 9s and a grade 8, also returning to Lift Ryde Sixth Form.

• Roscoe Lloyd — four grade 9s, three grade 8s and three grade 7s, returning to Lift Ryde Sixth Form.

• Storm Davies — six grade 8s, three grade 7s and a grade 6, heading to The Island VI Form.

• Jathisa Sivaranjan — six grade 9s and four grade 8s, returning to Lift Ryde Sixth Form.

• Bridget Hernes — three grade 9s, four grade 8s, a grade 7 and a grade 6, heading to The Island VI Form.

• Will Heald — two grade 5s, four grade 4s and two grade 3s, moving on to the Isle of Wight College.

• Riley Aikenhead — three grade 5s, six grade 4s and a grade 3, starting an apprenticeship at GKN.

• Jack Scully Syer — a grade 8, a grade 7, five grade 6s, two grade 5s and a grade 4, also taking up an apprenticeship at GKN.

• Irem Cal — a grade 9, six grade 7s, two grade 6s and two grade 5s, moving on to sixth form.

• Lydia Eastwood — four grade 8s, two grade 7s, two grade 6s and two grade 5s, heading to Sparsholt College.

Lift Ryde Principal Will Doyle praised students for showing determination, courage and resilience.

He said the results were particularly rewarding after the disruption caused by Covid restrictions.

The Bay CE School

Students at The Bay Church of England School have also been celebrating what the school described as a “wonderful set” of GCSE and vocational results.

Headteacher Emma Bowden said the results reflected the hard work and commitment of pupils, while stressing that their achievements go beyond examination grades.

She said the school was particularly proud that many students had secured their first choice of sixth form, college, school, apprenticeship or training.

The school also highlighted the personal growth, perseverance and resilience demonstrated by its students throughout their time at The Bay.

Cowes Enterprise College

There have been celebrations at Cowes Enterprise College, where Year 11 students have been collecting their GCSE results and looking ahead to their next steps.

The school says the cohort performed particularly strongly in English, Maths and Science, with students now moving on to sixth form, further education, training and employment.

Among the standout individual performances were:

• Tom — two grade 9s, five grade 8s, a grade 7 and a grade 6. He will stay at Cowes to study A Levels in Chemistry, Physics, Biology and Maths.

• Sameer — two grade 9s, four grade 8s and three grade 7s. He will study Physics, Maths and Further Maths, with ambitions to become a pilot.

• Daisy — two grade 9s, two grade 8s, three grade 7s and a grade 6, and will continue with A Levels at Cowes.

• Cora — a grade 9, three grade 8s, four grade 7s and a grade 6, also continuing to A Level study at Cowes.

• Dylan — two grade 8s, three grade 6s, three grade 5s and a grade 4. He is considering studying Criminology and Law.

• Punnaporn — a grade 7, four grade 6s and three grade 5s. She will study A Level Maths, Biology and Chemistry.

• Jerome — three grade 7s, four grade 6s and a grade 5. He will study Biology, Chemistry and Maths from September.

Senior Principal Adrian Price said the results were the culmination of years of commitment from students, staff and families.

He said pupils were leaving Year 11 with more than just qualifications, having also developed the character and skills needed for their future.

Many of the students are expected to continue at Cowes Enterprise College's sixth form, which the school says has helped students progress to prestigious universities and competitive apprenticeships.

Priory School

Priory School is celebrating another strong set of GCSE results, with 97% of pupils achieving grades 9 to 4.

The school reports a 100% pass rate across the cohort, while one in three grades were between 9 and 7 — equivalent to the old A* to A grades.

The school says the results maintain its position as one of the Island's strongest performers for academic outcomes.

Its incoming Principal praised pupils and staff for their dedication and hard work, and wished students well as they move on to further education and future careers.

Across the Island, students now face a range of choices, including sixth form, college, apprenticeships, vocational training and employment.

Isle Of Wight College

Students at the Isle of Wight College are celebrating personal successes in GCSE English and maths, with a number achieving grade 4 or above.

The results have been achieved alongside vocational courses, employment and other personal commitments.

Among those celebrating is Edie Sheath, a Hair and Beauty student who achieved the highest possible grade in GCSE Foundation Maths.

She is now hoping to begin a career in hairdressing and praised College staff for their support.

Rowan Sirkett has also passed GCSE Maths after progressing through different qualification levels.

Having already secured his GCSE English, he says gaining both qualifications will give him more employment opportunities while he continues working.

Meanwhile, Antony Hancock, who studies with Platform One, achieved a grade 4 in GCSE English.

The College says GCSE English and maths form an important part of its study programmes, helping students progress into further education, apprenticeships and employment.

Principal Fidelma Washington said every result represented “commitment, perseverance and personal growth”, adding that the qualifications provide a strong foundation for students' future plans.

The College also held its annual Options Fair alongside Results Day, giving Year 11 students and their families the chance to find out more about courses, apprenticeships and career opportunities.

Carisbrooke College

There have also been celebrations at Carisbrooke College, where Year 11 students have received their GCSE and vocational results after five years of study.

The college says the results reflect the strength of its academic and vocational curriculum, with students studying subjects ranging from traditional GCSEs to Health and Social Care, BTEC Sport, Food Technology and Mandarin.

Among the individual successes was Melody Schooling, who achieved grade 8s in Art, English Literature and Maths, a double 9-9 in Science and a grade 9 in English.

She also gained Level 2 Distinction*s in Child Development and Health & Social Care, as well as Level 7 in Mandarin.

Lillie Amer achieved Level 2 Distinction*s in Child Development and Health & Social Care, a Level 2 Merit in BTEC Sport, an 8 in History, a 7 in English Literature and 6s in Maths, Science and English Language.

Freddie Hollis achieved a 9-9 in Science, a 9 in Maths, a Level 2 Distinction in BTEC Sport, an 8 in Food Technology and a 7 in Mandarin.

Headteacher Natalie Sheppard said she was particularly proud of students who had overcome significant personal or academic challenges to reach Results Day.

She said the college's emphasis on care, trust and support had helped students realise their potential, adding that there were “no limits” to what young people could achieve with the right support.

Students are now moving on to A Levels, Level 3 vocational courses, apprenticeships and employment, both on the Island and further afield.