GCSE success for Black Country students

The long wait to find out how they got on was finally over for teenagers across the county as they opened up their eagerly awaited marks.

At Chase Grammar School in Cannock pupils obtained 100 per cent A*-C including English and Maths.

Vice principal Jackie Williams said: "It just shows what a team effort can achieve and with such a good set of results our students have plenty of choice for the next stage in their careers.

"It is all about choices and A set of A grades will get you into any institution and allow you to choose any subject.

"Our excellent results are down to a combination of things; small classes, extra tuition, quality teaching, early GCSEs, but most of all it is a result of the determination and the hard work of our students.

"Naturally we are very proud of their achievements and we are looking forward to taking many on to the next stage with A levels."

"Statistics, as ever, should be read with caution. It is the overall development of the person that matters and it is the level from which they have progressed that matters most."

Staffordshire County Council councillor Ben Adams congratulated pupils saying there were even tougher this year.

"We are very aware that this year's GCSE exams are more rigorous, focussing more on exams and less on coursework, so we are eager to see how these compare with similar counties across the country.

"GCSEs are a solid foundation for any future career, and young people up and down the county will today see their hard work recognised when they get their results. I want to congratulate them, and wish them every success in the future whatever path they take.

"Getting the right mix of skills is important for any future career. A key part of this is gaining skills that will be relevant for any career path and keeping your options open. Having a broad range of skills applicable to a number of careers gives young people the best chance of finding employment when they leave full-time education."

At Wolverhampton Grammar School in Compton Road, every single pupil achieved at least five GCSEs at grade C or above, with just over a quarter receiving nine or more passes at A* or A.

A total of 99 youngsters at the school sat a total of 958 GCSE papers, and more than two thirds of results were at A or A*.

Headmistress Kathy Crewe-Read hailed the results as 'outstanding'.

"A combination of hard work and a love of learning has again secured impressive GCSE results for them and the school," she said.

At Moseley Park School in Holland Road, Bilston, 80 per cent of pupils gained five or more GCSEs at grades A-C, including English and maths.

The results, which represent a six per cent improvement on last year, come less then four years since the school was placed in special measures.

Headmaster Nick Elwiss said: "We're absolutely delighted.

"It's testimony to the hard work by students and staff, particularly as just two years ago we were in special measures. It's a huge turn-around."

Wolverhampton Council's school chief Councillor Phil Page wished youngster luck as they picked up their results.

"The city council is committed to helping schools improve and to driving up standards so that our children and young people have the chance to reach their full potential," he said.

"We have seen steady improvement in the last few years, and over the next few days we'll start to get a clear picture of how young people in Wolverhampton have performed in 2014."

Tettenhall College in Wood Road was also celebrating improved results, with the majority of pupils achieving top grades.

Eighty-one per cent of pupils gained five or more A*-C grades. And this year 29 per cent of grades were at A* and A, compared with 24 per cent last year.

The results all the sweeter for one group of youngsters, who had sat their GCSE maths exam a year early – they all achieved A* or A grades.

Headmaster David Williams said he was very pleased with the results and congratulated all pupils.

"It has been an excellent year and we have some very high achievers," he said.