Westbourne pupils are celebrating today after achieving a sweep of outstanding results in their GCSE examinations, with 100% A*-C in all core subjects, 73% A*/A (9-7), and 50% A* (9/8).
The excellent grades follow two years of study under difficult conditions, with Westbourne GCSE Coordinator Mrs Jodi Barber hailing this year’s cohort as “truly inspirational”.
Mrs Barber continued: “We extend our congratulations to them, their families and of course to the Westbourne teachers, who have shown great resilience in consistently adapting to new ways of teaching, including pioneering the latest technology.”
Mayra, who skipped Year 9 to start her GCSEs a year early, achieved an exceptional 13 A* grades, six of which were the highest grade 9s, plus a Distinction in Further Maths, including four A* grades achieved last year.
She said: “I have loved every second at Westbourne School. The welcoming and friendly environment meant that I easily integrated into my year group. Thank you so much to not only the teachers, but all of the staff who have supported me and made my time at Westbourne unforgettable.”
Other stand-out performances came from aspiring doctor Priya, whose results included eight A* grades and a Distinction in Further Maths, as well as Oscar, who achieved an exceptional exceptional six A* grades, three A grades, and a Distinction in Further Maths. A student at Westbourne since Prep School, Oscar sat his GCSEs a year early.
Priya said: “I’m really proud and relieved that all my hard work during these difficult years has paid off and grateful for all my teachers’ help. I can’t wait to start the IB in September!”
Several of these Year 10 students achieved the highest grades in a range of languages, including Penarth student Harri Abad Merritt, who achieved a A* in Spanish, Martyna Bacior who achieved an A* in Polish, and Jasmine Anastasiou from Penarth who achieved an A* in Turkish and is currently only in Year 9.
Mrs Barber recognised the role that innovation has played in the students’ success. She said: “Westbourne has long been known for the personalised approach we take to teaching, with students across the whole school benefitting from smaller class sizes and one-to-one support.
However, over the past few years, we have transformed our use of technology and are now increasingly recognised as an innovator in education, leading the way with a cutting-edge approach. In 2021, the school was added to the high-profile EdTech50 list, which acknowledges organisations that are shaping UK education through technological innovation and, earlier this year, was shortlisted for Best Use of
Technology in the TES Schools Awards.
We launched a fully integrated online learning platform during lockdown to support all pupils to excel, achieving the near-impossible feat of 100% live lesson coverage in a single week, and we were also one of the first schools in Wales to enhance learning using artificial intelligence-backed software”, she concluded.