Bishops' Blue Coat High School Chester hails GCSEs success

The Chester school's Year 11s have outshone themselves with over 80% of students awarded grades 4 or above almost 2 of grades standing at a strong pass and with a positive value added across the EBacc subjects.

Bishops Blue Coat High School students celebrate their GCSE results.

With one quarter of all GCSE grades at 7 or above, 19% at 8 or above and 9% of all grades awarded a grade 9, there are some stand out examples of excellence at Bishops’ and beyond across a breadth of courses.

Over three quarters of Year 11s attained a standard pass in both English and Mathematics. Year 10 students are also celebrating early GCSE success in Religious Studies with a quarter of students gaining grade 7 or above.

Bishops Blue Coat High School students celebrate their GCSE results.

Headteacher Helen Cairns said: “This year group continue to shine brightly. They impressed us with their outstanding Religious Studies GCSE results achieved at the end of Year 10 and they have continued to exceed expectations.

"Their results hold a special significance as we celebrate the triumph of overcoming the adversities brought by the “return to normal” examinations following the pandemic.

"In their celebration service in June, I congratulated them on their resilience, ambition, and personal determination to succeed and be the be the very best version of themselves. Today we celebrate their personal and collective efforts and are excited to welcome a record number of them back to complete their seven-year journey in our successful 6th form.”

There are so many achievements to celebrate, here are a selection:

• Alex Keen attained seven grade 9s, one distinction*2 and two grade 8s in: Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Geography, German, Religious Studies, Engineering Design, English Language and English Literature, respectively.
• Zack Brautigam attained seven grade 9s, one distinction*2 and two grade 8s in: English Language, English Literature, Biology, Physics, French, History, Religious Studies, Music Practice, Mathematics and Chemistry, respectively.
• Riley Bedford attained six grade 9s, one distinction*2 and three grade 8s in: Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Geography, German, Religious Studies, Engineering Design, English Language, English Literature and Mathematics, respectively.
• Esther Davies attained five grade 9s, three grade 8s, one grade 7 and one grade 6 in: Biology, Chemistry, French, Food and Nutrition, Religious Studies, Mathematics, Geography, Physics, English Literature and English Language, respectively.
• Amelia Stevens attained two grade 9s, six grade 8s, one grade 7 and one grade 6 in: English Language, Mathematics, Chemistry, Physics, French, History, Biology and English Literature, respectively.
• Annabelle Ardern attained three grade 9s, one distinction*2, four grade 8s and two grade sevens in: French, History, Religious Studies, Music Practice, English Language, English Literature, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics and Biology, respectively.

High grades and incredible progress are equally worthy, indeed, a few pupils who have made exceptional progress over time include:

• Grace Crerand achieving a grade 9 in Food and Nutrition, a grade 8-8 in Combined Science, two grade 8s in Mathematics and Psychology, two grade 7s in German and Religious Education and two grade 6s in English Language and English Literature.
• Hannah Boyles achieving one distinction*2, one grade 8 in English Language, one grade 8-7 in Combined Science, four grade 7s in Mathematics, Geography, Psychology and Religious Studies and one grade six in English Literature.
• Mohammed Alater achieving one grade 9 in Arabic, one grade 6-6 in Combined Science, two grade 6s in English Literature and German, one grade 5 in Religious Studies, two grade 4s in English Language and Mathematics, one D1 in ICT and one M1 in Business and Enterprise.
• Lola Murray achieving one grade 9 in Religious Studies, one grade 7 in French, one distinction 2 in Engineering Design, one grade 6-6 in Combined Science, two grade 6s in English Language and English Literature and two grade 5s in Mathematics and Geography.
• Shomus Koko achieving two grade 7s in English Literature and Religious Studies, one distinction 2 in Business Enterprise three grade 6s in English Language, Geography and Food and Nutrition, one grade 6-5 in Combined Science and one grade 4 in Mathematics.

Jenny Sadler, Year Lead for Year 11, added: “Year 11's determination and hard work has brought them to this point and I have no doubt that these qualities will guide them towards even greater achievements in the future. I couldn’t be more proud of them.”

Bishops Blue Coat High School students celebrate their GCSE results.