Record results at GCSE for the second year running at St Swithun’s School, Winchester

28 Aug 2012

1 in 8 pupils achieve 10 A*s at GCSE

Following on from a successful set of A level results last week, pupils at St Swithun’s School, Winchester have now achieved the school’s best ever set of GCSE results. 90.5% of examinations taken by girls at St Swithun’s were awarded an A* or A grade. This compares with a national average in 2011 of 61.4% in independent schools and 23.2% across all schools in the UK. 57.1% of exams taken by girls this year were graded A* and on an individual basis, 12.5% of pupils were awarded A*s in all of the 10 GCSEs that they took.
The Bar family triplets all achieved top marks in their GCSEs. St Swithun’s pupils and sisters Catherine and Emily Bar achieved 10 A*s. Their triplet brother Oliver, who studies at Winchester College, also gained 9 A*s and an A at AS level Latin. This follows the success of another set of twins at St Swithun’s, Hebe and Jemima Peck. Hebe is going on to read Classics at Downing College, Cambridge and Jemima will study Modern Languages at Exeter College, Oxford after last weeks A level results
“It is pleasing to have record results for GCSEs in 2 consecutive years, particularly considering that at national level the number of top grades has dropped.” said Jane Gandee, Headmistress of St Swithun’s.
“This year all of our pupils sat IGCSE maths for the first time and I am delighted that the percentage of A* and A grades achieved in this subject was 96%. In English literature 100% of our pupils achieved an A* or A grade and in biology, 97% of students were awarded an A* or A grade and 10 girls produced flawless papers scoring 100%.
In modern languages, an area which has seen a national decline, 83% of exams were awarded A* in French, German or Spanish.
These results are a testament to the hard work, tenacity and diligence of our pupils and the inspirational efforts of our committed and talented staff”
St Swithun’s is a leading independent school for girls aged 11-18 offering day, full and weekly boarding and is member of the Girls’ Schools Association.

Photo: Catherine, Oliver and Emily Bar