This year, 1,002 NHC students sat their maths and English GCSE exam. Most of these students studied maths and English alongside their chosen vocational course.

Kit Davies, Principal of North Hertfordshire College, said:

“This year has been unlike anything we’ve ever experienced before and quite exceptional in so many ways. All our GCSE students collecting results today deserve our heartfelt congratulations for their resilience and hard work in the most trying of circumstances.

During the COVID crisis, our teachers have done incredibly well continuing to teach, support and enthuse our students across the GCSE portfolio. I am incredibly proud of all our students and staff."

Among those collecting their GCSE results today were Samiya Miah who achieved a grade 4 in maths. Her tutor Laura Hoar said: “I am so proud of how far Samiya has come. She was scoring low when she first started and has progressed so much with hard work and determination to gain her grade 4.”

Kyra James achieved a grade 4 in maths. Speaking on Kyra’s success their tutor Suzann Wells said: “Her mock assessments improved throughout the year. It was great to see how Kyra has progressed from quite a shy learner to someone who was confident with her communication as well as her maths skills.”

Robyn Wisker-Stilling achieved a grade 5 in maths. She said: “I am absolutely delighted! I worked exceptionally hard with the support from my teachers and studying independently at home.”

Peter Giles, Head of Maths and English at NHC said: “Many congratulations to all our students. It is more important than ever that our students have a solid grounding in maths and English so they are in the best position to start their careers.”

Twins Vishnu and Siva Sureshbabu achieved two grade 9s, seven grade 8s and six grade 7s between them.  Congratulations!

Amy Wenderling achieved top grades in all her subjects, including a distinction star in iMedia and six grade 8s, in English language and English literature, maths, PE, chemistry and biology. Amy is also looking forward to starting the next stage of her learning in our sixth-form and is ‘ecstatic’ about her results.

“We, at Barclay Academy, are proud of all of our students during such unprecedented times and particularly proud of our Year 11 students. Several of our students have achieved outstanding results with grade 7 or higher in all subjects.

We are all set to provide clear guidance and support to ensure they get the best courses and we will be encouraging our Year 11 students to choose the best option for them in the next phase of their lives.”

A joint statement from Barclay Academy, Barnwell School, The John Henry Newman Catholic School, The Thomas Alleyne Academy, The Nobel School and Marriotts School

"2020 has been a challenging year for all Stevenage students, particularly those taking their GCSE’s and A-Levels. Due to the current pandemic and subsequent lockdown, students in years 13 and 11 were not able to sit their final examinations.

To replace examinations, schools were asked to make their best assessment of what grade each student would be most likely to receive. The grades schools submitted to the Examination Boards were agreed by the centre, following rigorous internal quality assurance. This means that Centre Assessed Grades were not the sole responsibility of any individual teacher.

Ofqual (The Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation) had consulted on and implemented a standardisation process for exam results this summer, but the system has resulted in inconsistent outcomes for A-level students. Subsequently, the Government and Ofqual have jointly agreed to revert to centre assessment grades for A-Levels and GCSEs, which are the grades which schools and colleges assessed students were most likely to have achieved, had exams gone ahead. This was deemed to be the fairest approach to avoid some students receiving grades that did not reflect their prior performance.

On 17th August, Ofqual published a statement, recognising that while the approach adopted attempted to maintain standards and protect the public trust in educational qualifications, in fact, the process did not achieve this. Teachers across the country welcome Ofqual’s decision to revert to Centre Assessed Grades in A-Levels and GCSEs.

Staff in all Stevenage schools will continue to work diligently to ensure students receive the grades they deserve, (including supporting students through the appeal process), so that they can progress on successfully to the next stage of their lives."

Nathan is staying at Marriotts Sixth Form and will study Maths, Further Maths, Government and Politics and Music. Nathan would like to thank his teachers for their support and honest guidance. Nathan would also like to thank his music teacher for supporting him and inspiring to carry on with Music.”

Headteacher, Beth Honnor said: “As a school we are thrilled with our students’ outcomes and I am enormously proud of all they have achieved. Students have worked incredibly hard throughout their school career and despite the significant challenges of the recent pandemic, have achieved results that truly reflect their ability. I would like to thank our students, their families and their teachers for their dedication and commitment to learning and to Marriotts School.”

"As a small school we have been able to give individual support and attention which has guaranteed us yet another year of outstanding results. I am very proud of our Year 11's whose resilience and fortitude has empowered them to achieve such wonderful results. As ever, our staff have shown themselves committed to each and every pupil determined to see them succeed. St. Francis' College has a special magic which lifts all to success"