Taunton School students are celebrating their personal successes having received their GCSE results this morning.

42% of Taunton School’s Year 11 students achieved grades 9 – 7 in their GCSEs, with 12% of their grades being at grade 9. These results are on average half a grade higher than those expected from national benchmarking, placing Taunton School in the top 10% of schools for value added nationally.

100% of students studying Philosophy, Religion and Ethics obtained either a grade 9 or 8 and the sciences continue to return strong results at the school, with over 70% of students achieving a grade 9 – 7 in Biology, Chemistry and Physics.

Taunton School International (TSI) students have also received great results in their GCSEs, with 43% graded 9 – 7: an even more exceptional feat considering these students completed their GCSE courses as part of Taunton School’s one year GCSE programme.

Taunton School International achieved a 100% pass rate in Further Maths, Chemistry, Design Technology, English as a first language, Geography and Media Studies.

Headmaster James Johnson said: “I am delighted that so many students have been richly rewarded for their hard work preparing for these GCSE exams. Perhaps most pleasing amongst the headline grades is that the school’s clear focus on the value we add to students of all abilities has been so significant. That does not happen without exceptional teaching and my thanks, as ever, go to all staff for their unwavering ambition for each and every student.”

This year’s highest achievers from Taunton School and Taunton School International (TSI) are:

Rohan N – 9 x grade 9s, 1 x grade 8

Catherine K – 7 x grade 9s, 2 x grade 8s and an A in Global Perspectives

Namu G – 6 x grade 9s, 3 x grade 8s

Carolina W-G – a TSI student from Brazil – 5x grade 9s, 3x grade 8s

Takaaki H – a TSI student from Japan – 4x grade 9s and 3x grade 6s

Felix B – a TSI student from Germany – 4x grade 9s, 1x grade 7 and 1x grade 6

Freddie V, Ben C, Tomisin A, Ben B, Sizhu C, Oscar L and Chris W all achieved an impressive 100% grades 7 – 9, with Ben C and Ben B achieving their results alongside their excellent commitment to hockey, and Chris W doing the same alongside his co-curricular success in drama.

Taunton School International Head, Camilla Bryden, said: “We have achieved yet another year of fantastic results at Taunton School International which makes me so proud of this year’s cohort for their hard work and commitment to achieving top grades in an intensive one-year course predominantly in their second language.

“My heartfelt gratitude goes to all the staff at Taunton School International whose support and care of all our students is exceptional. Well done and a well-deserved congratulations to each and every one of our international students.”

Many students will now progress to Taunton School Sixth Form to study A-Levels, BTEC, International Baccalaureate, or the International Foundation Year.