HCS GCSE Results 2020

AFTER A CHALLENGING YEAR, Hereford Cathedral School pupils are celebrating superb GCSE results today, with almost 60% of grades awarded the highest scores of 9-7 (A*/A) and well over a third (38%) of all grades at 9-8 (A* equivalent).

Three exceptional pupils, Seyi A, Olivia A and Beren G, achieved twelve grade 9s (A*) and a further two pupils achieved 11 grade 9s and an 8. Twelve pupils in total were awarded all grades 9-7. Seyi (above left) was over-the-moon with her results: “I’m so ecstatic and just so grateful to all the teachers for the support they’ve given me these past two years.” She achieves this academic excellence alongside her extracurricular successes as a musician. Seyi sings with the school’s internationally renowned Cantabile Girls’ Choir and has been awarded a music scholarship to Hereford Cathedral School’s Sixth Form. She said: “I’ve had so many opportunities here – sport, like netball and hockey, and music.” During lockdown, Seyi appreciated the opportunity to try out a range of A-Levels subjects at the school, and is looking forward to studying Maths, Further Maths, Physics and Chemistry whilst continuing to develop her vocal and instrumental talent. She said “It’s been really good to have a taste of my A-Levels and the HCS Enrichment Programme has been really good too.” On the cancellation of her exams, Seyi was philosophical: “I kind of wanted to go out there and show everybody that I can do it, but it is what it is!”

In fifteen of the school’s subject departments, over 50% of grades awarded were grade 7 and above. Science results in particular were spectacular this year with 84% grades 9-7 in Biology and Chemistry, and 74% in Physics. Olivia A (above right), one of the school’s highest achievers, was awarded grade 9s in all three sciences, along with a further nine grade 9s in all her other subjects. She said “I feel shocked and really happy. I know I’ve worked really hard, but I didn’t know I’d get all 9s. My parents will be so happy.” Olivia is one of many students that appreciated the support they received during such a challenging time. “With remote learning my teachers have been really supportive, always online on Microsoft Teams to help you out and always really helpful. The Enrichment Programme was great too.” She is looking forward to continuing her studies at the school in September with A-Levels in Physics, Chemistry, Maths and Further Maths.

Two other outstanding students were cryptographers Beren G and Daniel P who competed against 50 other teams last year to win the Live Cryptography Challenge at Manchester University.

Beren achieved an incredible 12 grade 9s and will go on to study Maths, Further Maths, Physics and French at A-Level. He said “It’s a big relief, knowing that everything paid off.” Daniel, who achieved 11 grade 9s and an 8 in French, is pleased to have had the opportunity to trial his A-Level subjects during lockdown and has grand plans for his future: “My taster A-Levels reassured me of what I wanted to do. So, I’m doing Maths, Further Maths, Physics and Economics at A-Level. I probably want to go on to do something with physics, quantum physics or particle physics.”

Headmaster Paul Smith gives credit to the pupils and staff for their hard work and determination: “My congratulations to all our GCSE students who have been awarded exam grades today. Pupils are to be commended for their excellent achievements, which highlight hard work and endeavour over the last two years. For those going on to A-Level studies, the majority can confidently do so secure in the knowledge that their previous efforts have been justly rewarded. “As ever, I am grateful to the commitment of our teaching staff who have worked hard under testing conditions to ensure that pupils completed syllabuses, and are now well prepared for the next stage of their education. We now look forward to welcoming pupils back into the Sixth Form for the next academic year.”

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