Hereford Cathedral School is celebrating an exceptional set of results in this year’s GCSEs.
Pupils have demonstrated excellence across the board with all their hard work paying off.
An outstanding 72% of grades achieved in Biology, Chemistry and Physics were grades 9-7 (A*/A), while in Latin 92% of students achieved the top grades.
Art students had another superb year with well over two thirds of students being awarded a 7 or above.
Top performing student, Holly Campbell, was awarded a clean sweep of grade 9s in her twelve subjects and is looking forward to continuing her studies in HCS Sixth Form with A- Levels in Biology, Chemistry, Spanish and Art.
She said: “I’m most proud of my Art grade because I worked really hard for the coursework and the exam project. The Art Department has been really supportive. After Sixth Form I’d like to study Medicine or Veterinary Medicine and go into the Forces.”
Georgia Essenhigh and Evie Hickman achieved an incredible 19 grade 9s and five grade 8s between them.
Georgia said: “I’m so proud, and my teachers have definitely helped me so much. I was most proud of my Economics grade. I tried really hard and put a lot of work into that. For Sixth Form I’m hoping to study Maths and Further Maths, French, Chemistry and Economics.
“In HCS Sixth Form, I’m looking forward to having more freedom and the chance to do more extra-curriculars, maybe a bit more sport and meeting new people.”
Evie is also looking forward to her next step in the School’s Sixth Form: “I’m doing Latin, French, Chemistry and Geography with a Greek GCSE alongside. I think the Classics Departments at HCS is really good, and really supportive. I’m really looking forward to doing more with CCF; I’m in the Navy Section and it’s a real highlight of my week.”
Another of the School’s high achievers this year was Xeni Chapman who managed to achieve an impressive set of GCSE results while also dedicating a huge amount of time to his rowing training programme this year.
Xeni was selected to represent Great Britain in the J16 GB versus France match earlier this summer and qualified for Henley Royal Regatta this year with the HCS J18 crew.
Today he gained six 9s, five 8s and a 7, plus a grade 9 in GCSE German.
Along with Xeni, Charlie Reid and Mairead Donoghue were amongst the 72% of students gaining top grades in the sciences. Charlie said:
“I’m feeling really good. I got some good grades, and I’m really happy about them. I got all 9s in my sciences, 9 in maths, 9 in Geography, and 7s for all the other subjects.
“It’s been really supportive; the teachers are always there when you need them. My chemistry teacher, Mrs Burdett, was really good at keeping the class focused and always made learning really entertaining.”
Mairead added: “I’m chuffed to bits, I’m really, really pleased. It’s been a long, hard road but it’s been really good. Mr Jackson, the Head of Economics, and Mr Croot, my Maths teacher, have both been really supportive throughout my school career but particularly in my GCSEs.”
The Music department has achieved an outstanding set of results this year, with just under 80% of students scooping top grades 9-7.
Joe Blackman, who achieved a 9 in Music amongst a set of excellent results, was elated: “I’m surprised, in shock, and just really happy overall, to be honest! The support here has been really good. All the teachers have been really helpful whenever I’ve needed them.”
Joe is looking forward to continuing his studies in Music in the sixth form, alongside Chemistry and Maths.
Fellow musician, Grace Edwards added:
“It’s been an incredible experience. I’ve had lots of support from all my teachers and all my friends.”
Fred Miln, who was successful in gaining a place in the National Youth Orchestra of Wales last year, was equally pleased with his grade 9 in Music and credits the department with his success.
Fred is going on to join the UK’s leading specialist music school, Chetham’s, in September.
The Art department is celebrating another strong year with 70% of students achieving grades 9-7 in Fine Art.
Millie Yates, was one of those who bagged a grade 9 and credits her “kind and generous” teachers with supporting her to achieve her exceptional results.
Headmaster Dr Gray congratulated the students on the hard work they put into achieving these outstanding outcomes: “Our Year 11 pupils should feel tremendously proud of all that they achieved; there are some wonderful outcomes here, which demonstrate the hard work that this cohort has put into their studies.
“These results have laid an excellent foundation for their A Level studies with us next term and we are excited about building on these over the next two years. I extend my sincere congratulations to every pupil in Year 11 for such an impressive set of accomplishments.”
