Mark McShane, headteacher at Stroud High School has lauded his Year 11 students as GCSE results were announced, today.
The head acknowledged the difficulties of dealing with the pandemic and also acknowledged his students’ achievements on the sporting field, he said: “After the most bizarre two years, we have all made it through with completed courses and superb grades.
“Whilst we celebrate their achievements, I would like to acknowledge that this is also a year group that has excelled on the sports field, in music and drama, taken leading roles in our STEM projects as well as undertaken the Duke of Edinburgh Award with its volunteering and expedition. I addition to this,
close to a third of students undertook ambassador roles, impacting upon our school community with events such as the brilliant culture week last February.
“They have managed all of this despite bubbles and home learning, masks and testing. They had achieved so much before they even opened their envelopes this morning.
“Of course, we were all thrilled with the grades the students have achieved.
“Over 97% of all grades were grade 9-5 and, as in the years prior to the pandemic, over half of all grades were grades 9 and of course, many of the students showed the breadth of their efforts and ability through performing across the curriculum. Over a third of all students achieved 9 grades between grades 9-7, whilst close to two-thirds achieved 7 or more grades 7-9.
“I would particularly like to thank the entire staff team at Stroud High School. Year on year the staff support the students to achieve at the highest level; since the reform of GCSEs and pre the pandemic, consistently three-quarters of entries are being awarded at grades 7-9 and a quarter of all entries at the challenging grade 9.
“The positive and caring environment they create along with the humility to keep on learning and improving is at the heart of this consistency. They really are a brilliant team.”
