Examination Reports

Pupils celebrate their GCSE results at

The Joseph Whitaker School

It is pleasing to announce that The Joseph Whitaker School’s overall results are higher than 2017 outcomes in terms of attainment and we await national statistics for the key progress headline measure.

This summer has seen twenty new GCSE subjects using Grades 1-9 with the common theme of significantly reduced coursework and increased examinations. In itself this means the subjects are far more challenging than previously. The students and staff have worked incredibly hard to meet the very demanding expectations of the new specifications. This has been against a background of limited national guidance, resources and grade boundaries.

There were some outstanding individual results which are detailed below.

However, one exceptional performance was from Paige Daniels who has achieved Grade 9 or A* in every single subject. An amazing set of results which we understand has only been achieved by a very small percentage of students nationally.

A fantastic set of GCSE results for an amazing cohort of students. It is pleasing to note that the majority of our students will return to us in the sixth form this September. I would like to pass on my personal congratulations and best wishes for the future to all our students.

The school has achieved very strong results at both GCSE and at A level again this year and this is testament to the commitment of our students and staff, together with the support of parents and carers in seeking the best possible outcomes.

David Bell

Headteacher

A Level Results

The students at The Joseph Whitaker School are celebrating another very good set of A Level results. The return to linear style examinations has certainly had an impact on the overall results with a greater range of grades this year. The percentage of students gaining an A/A* at A Level was 29%, the highest for 3 years and more than 84% of students gained at least one A*-C grade at A Level. The overall pass rate was 98%.

Some of our highest achieving students are named below.

Harry Gabb has secured a place at Trinity College, Cambridge to study Medicine whilst both Emma Macdiarmid and Elliot Severn will be joining Durham University to study Law and Physics respectively. Jack Booler has opted to study Mathematics at Bath University; Ben Moodie will travel to Newcastle to study Law and Megan Topliss will be studying History at Nottingham University. Mark Kenyon will join Newcastle University to study Chemical Engineering, Mollie Garratt will be studying Chemistry at York and Josh Foster gained a place at Loughborough in Sport Science.

‘I would like to congratulate our Year 13 students and wish them every success and happiness in their future endeavours. There have been some remarkable results. However, I would also highlight students who have worked hard to achieve grades at all levels and who have secured university places or apprenticeships of their choice. Additionally, to the small number of students who have fallen short of their first choice courses I would reassure them that this is not the end of the world even though they will naturally be currently disappointed. A measured approach to both success and disappointment is very important in life.’

David Bell

Headteacher

Michael Croft, Deputy Head with responsibility for the Sixth Form, reflected upon the students’ perseverance: ‘Year 13 have been relentless in their pursuit of excellence, adopting a focused approach to study and demonstrating an impressive work ethic throughout. The new specifications have proven to be very challenging for all students’.

Andrew Jacques, Head of Sixth Form, added: ‘We are immensely proud of our students, who have worked with real dedication and commitment to achieve such excellent results.’

In 2017, at GCSE level, Headline Measures (unvalidated November 2017)

The school is currently placed in the top 20% of schools nationally in terms of GCSE outcomes

Progress 8 is +0.18 (National expectation is 0.00)

• Attainment 8 = 46.4 (National average 44.2)
• Basics (Grade 5+ in English and Maths) = 38% (National average 39.1%)
• Basics (Grade 4+ in English and maths) = 58% (National average 62%)
• EBACC (Grade 5+) = 11% (National average 19%)
• EBACC (Entering the EBACC) = 25% (National average 34.9%)
• % of students who continue in education or training or move to employment = 96% (2015)

Additional Information

• English A-C = 73%
• Maths A-C = 66%

In 2016, at GCSE level, Headline Measures.

• Progress 8 is 0.32 (National expectation is 0.00)
• Attainment 8 = 54.1 (National average 49.34)
• Basics (A-C in English and maths) = 70% (National average 62%)
• EBAAC = 25% (National average 24%)
• % of students who continue in education or training or move to employment = 94% (2014)

Additional Information:

• 66% of pupils achieved at least 5 A-C including English and Mathematics
• Average Points Score Capped 8 inc EM 340.28
• English A-C 77%
• Maths A-C 76%
• 4% of pupils achieved the minimum expected levels of progress in English between KS2 and KS4
• 2% of pupils exceeded the expected levels of progress in English
• 5% of pupils achieved the minimum expected levels of progress in Maths between KS2 and KS4

26.5% of pupils exceeded the expected levels of progress in Maths

In 2015, at GCSE level (Best Entry):

• 66% of pupils achieved at least 5 A-C including English and Mathematics
• 7% of pupils achieved at least 5 A-C grades
• Average Points Score Capped 8 inc EM 332.15
• English A-C 76% (national average 65%)
• Maths A-C 75% (national average 63%)
• 78% of pupils achieved the minimum expected levels of progress in English between KS2 and KS4
• 23% of pupils exceeded the expected levels of progress in English
• 70% of pupils achieved the minimum expected levels of progress in Maths between KS2 and KS4
• 26% of pupils exceeded the expected levels of progress in Maths
• 97% of pupils achieved at least 5 A*-G grades
• Every pupil achieved at least 1 GCSE pass
• 17% of pupils achieved the English Baccalaureate

At A Level 2017:

• The progress made against national = -0.08 (in line with national averages)
• 40% of students achieved an A or A* grade
• 28% of students achieved an A or A* in A Level only (national 26%)
• 68% of students achieved an A* or B grade
• Average grade = C
• The pass rate for the school was 100%.

• At A Level 2016:
  • The progress made against national = 0.2 (one fifth of a grade higher than other schools)
  • 58% of students achieved an A or A* grade
  • 26% of students achieved an A or A* in A Level only (national 25%)
  • 2% of students achieved an A* or B grade
  • Average grade = C
  • The pass rate for the school was 99%.

  .

• At A level 2015:
  • 68% of students achieved an A or A* grade
  • 32% of students achieved an A or A* in A Level only (national 26%)
  • 83% of students achieved an A* or B grade

  The pass rate for the school was 100%.

• To view information regarding the the school’s historic academic performance, please click on the following link to the Department of Education’s performance tables. The results shown are based on First Entry rules:

https://www.compare-school-performance.service.gov.uk/school/137628/the-joseph-whitaker-school

KS3 Progress 2016-17