The overall pass rate of Bearwood College’s GCSE pupils is 99.7%, down from last year’s 100%.
Stephen Aiano, Headmaster, said: “After a decade of year-on-year increases for GCSE grades at Bearwood, the pause in this pattern is not wholly unexpected. We are celebrating many really impressive individual achievements among the year group, not only in terms of strong “raw performance” at top grades, but also for a number of candidates achieving on average a grade above their expectations in every subject entry. At Bearwood College, we pride ourselves on adding value to the education of our pupils. There are, however, also some disappointments and frustrations. As a professional team, the staff of Bearwood College will be scrutinising the fine details of these results extremely closely, to ensure that we continue to respond to the changing academic challenges being put in place nationally by the present Coalition administration. We shall be formally querying a number of results with the Examination Boards in both examinations and coursework, and expect changes to be made.”
Mr George Penlington, Academic Deputy, commented: “Although our results have come down from last year’s achievement at Bearwood, it does not come as an absolute surprise, but reflects a number of concurrent factors. There has been a national change in the approach to GCSE marking. The move away from coursework to “controlled assessments” and a greater emphasis on terminal examinations has an impact on our specific community. And the results in some measure reflect the character of this year’s cohort of candidates. As has been indicated by the Headmaster, we are currently questioning a number of individual grades.”
Will Barnes, a local pupil from Hartley Wintney and one of the top scoring students, said: “I am so pleased with my results and to have the grades to study Art, Geography, History and Biology at A Level at Bearwood College’s Sixth Form.” Will’s father and brother both attended Bearwood College and Will is delighted to be continuing the family tradition as he prepares for University. Beyond his strong GCSE results, Will has made the most of his extra-curricular activities at Bearwood. He has undertaken both Bronze and Silver Duke of Edinburgh Awards already and is looking forward to tackling Gold in the Sixth Form. Last year, Will’s experience with the school’s hovercrafting club paid off and he became 2nd in Great Britain in the National Hovercrafting Formula Junior Championship.
Another high achieving student, Frankie Harris commented: “It’s such a relief that this day is finally here. I got a Starred A Grade in English Language, English Literature, History, Biology and Drama, which gives me a firm broad base for wide spread of choices at A Level.” Frankie, who is from Plymouth, has been a boarder within Drake House at Bearwood College since 2007.
Miles Hamilton, a boarder in Blake House, likewise gained a Starred A Grade in Mathematics, History, Geography and Physical Education, and A Grades in all his other subjects. Miles is from a Forces family stationed overseas and collected his results by telephone. His mother commented: “I am so nervous picking up these results for Miles but absolutely delighted with his grades.” Miles joined Bearwood College in 2008 and is now looking forward to taking up the challenge of A Levels in Chemistry, Biology, Maths and Economics.
Pupils have an exciting range of A Level subjects to choose from, with Economics, Psychology and Photography being examples of the varied subjects Bearwood College’s Sixth Form has to offer. Small class sizes guarantee individual attention and the Sierra Club is a purpose-built Sixth Form centre facility designed to promote independent study as well as offer a social space for relaxation. These elements contribute to the strength of Bearwood’s unique support system which can make all the difference to pupils managing the pressures of A Level study. Whilst ensuring academic issues are thoroughly addressed, Bearwood also helps prepare well-rounded individuals, ready for university and life beyond.