Students across Portsmouth are celebrating GCSE exam success today, with provisional data indicating that 55% of pupils achieved grade 4 and above in both English and maths.
2024 is the second year of the return to pre-pandemic grading as the next step in getting back to normal. Students receiving their results today were in Year 7 when the first Covid lockdowns were announced, so have spent every year of their secondary education in the midst, or the wake, of the pandemic.
Cllr Suzy Horton, Portsmouth City Council’s Cabinet Member for Children, Families and Education, said:
“It was a joy to be at both Mayfield and Miltoncross Academy this morning to share their GCSE results days.
“This group were in year 7 when the pandemic hit and have had to deal with so much disruption in their lives. I thank them for playing their part in the pandemic response and appreciate how hard both pupils and teachers have worked these past few years to overcome the impact.
“Congratulations to all Portsmouth students on their exam results. You should all be incredibly proud and remember to always surround yourself by people who care about you and your future, whatever your results.”
Nick Giles, headteacher of Miltoncross Academy said:
“A huge well done to our students who have had a great set of results. It is really clear how good attendance and a strong work ethic are absolutely key for GCSEs, as they are in life.
“Some students have a whole raft of grade 9s; others have exceeded their expectations and most have got exactly what they’d hoped for.
“We’re really proud of them all and importantly, the staff that have supported them superbly.”
Ashley Howard, headteacher at Mayfield School, said:
“Today has been a day of celebration of all of the hard work that our pupils have put in and reflective of the progress Mayfield has made on its journey of rapid improvement.
“It was amazing to see so many of the staff, pupils, and their families here today to collect their results. I am incredibly proud of what individuals have achieved and I am looking forward to hearing about their next stages.”
Young people who are worried about their grades can talk to the Portsmouth City Council Careers and Progression Team. They will be based in colleges next week to support any young people who are worried about their enrolment interviews.
For urgent help young people can call the careers team today on 07342 713915 or email lauren.bumstead@portsmouthcc.gov.uk