Great successes for St Swithun’s girls with return of GCSE examinations

Year 11 girls at St Swithun’s, Winchester are celebrating excellent GCSE exam results with a clutch of top grades across a broad and demanding curriculum. 41% of results were at grade 9, 66% at grades 9/8/A* and 85% at grades 7/A and above, with students on average taking 9.7 GCSE qualifications each.

The girls demonstrated resilience, adaptability and determination in the face of uncertainties posed by the pandemic, including around assessment following disruption to examinations in the previous two summers. Their achievements saw results for the highest grades, and particularly the top grades 9 and 8/A*, increase substantially compared to the most recent years when GCSE examinations were held.

The headmistress, Jane Gandee, said: “We are proud of the achievements of Year 11 and of the qualities they have shown in negotiating the challenges of the past two years. We are delighted that the attributes of hard work, perseverance and mutual support, both amongst their peers and from their teachers, have been rewarded in their GCSE successes. These key qualities and the appreciation of the importance of having fun are fundamental to a St Swithun’s education.

“We have enjoyed watching the Year 11 girls demonstrate their lip-syncing skills, seeing them release their inner Spielberg making films and have valued their key role in our community outreach programme helping to deliver sports sessions for partner schools.”

“All the attributes they have developed at St Swithun’s will continue to serve our students well as they progress to A level and, more importantly, beyond the classroom and far into the future.”