Today Bede’s Upper Fifth pupils and staff came together to celebrate their fantastic achievements this year with GCSE results that improved upon many of those which were awarded by teachers over the past two years, with 45% of all GCSEs graded at 9-7 (the equivalent of A*-A).

Bede’s Deputy Head, John Tuson said, “There has been a great deal written and spoken about inflated grades over the past two years. How brilliant therefore to see our students managing to do even better in the exam hall than when those grades were being awarded to them by their teachers, with the ‘CAGs’ of previous years. This particular cohort of young people, across the country, has missed out on so much and so, to see them succeed in this way is genuinely inspirational.”

Amongst top performing pupils were Bryony Frisby from Jevington who achieved an amazing ten of the highest grade 9’s (an equivalent to the highest A* grade) and Max Samland who gained nine grade 9’s, one grade 8 and an A*.

Huge congratulations must go to Will Gillett who was awarded eight of the very highest grade 9’s, one grade 8 and an A* and Antonia Clarke who was awarded seven grades 9’s, one grade 8 and an A*. Both Will and Antonia played lead roles in the Addams Family production at Eastbourne’s Devonshire Park Theatre earlier this year and juggled a busy rehearsal and performance schedule with their studies – well done both!

Bede’s Headmaster, Peter Goodyer added: “I am immensely proud of all our Upper Fifth pupils and every one of their achievements this year.  Our pupils have demonstrated a huge amount of conscientiousness in respect of their studies and these results are testament to that. We look forward to the next part of their educational journey, building on the valuable lessons learnt not just for the classroom but for life.”