Despite the academic year ending so abruptly for Year 11 in March this year and all the national uncertainty regarding exams grades, St Birinus will record a year of exceptional GCSE results. Students have worked incredibly hard throughout their time with us and have been consistently predicted strong results. We are delighted that the grades awarded today genuinely recognise this hard work, commitment and ambition. 

The figure of 76% of our 164 students achieving at least a grade 4 (the equivalent of a C grade) in English and Maths is highly impressive within the context of boys’ achievement nationally. Equally, 55% of students gained at least a grade 5 in both English and Maths.

79% of boys achieved at least a grade 4 in English and 84% secured at least a grade 4 in Maths.  At Grade 5 and above, students did brilliantly with 62% successful in English and 68% in Maths. At the very top grades, 19% of all grades in English and 33% in Maths were 7 or above – performances the school is delighted with.

In addition, 73% of students achieved at least a grade 4 in English and Maths and three other subjects – the measure of 5 “good” passes – and 50% of students gained at least a grade 5 in English and Maths and three other subjects – the measure of 5 “strong” passes. Twenty-nine students achieved six or more grades 7 to 9. 

In summary, for the 164 students: 

- 79% of students gained a grade 4 or above in English 

- 84% of students gained a grade 4 or above in Maths 

- 19% of students gained a grade 7, 8 or 9 in English 

- 33% of students gained a grade 7, 8 or 9 in Maths 

 -18% of students gained 6 or more grades 7-9 

- 73% of students gained 5 GCSE passes including English and Maths 

Progress measures are extremely strong, and the average total Attainment 8 grade is 51.2 – well above the National Average for boys once again – and the average Attainment 8 grade is 5.12. 

As a school community, we celebrate the achievements of all our students but there are some exceptional individual performances that deserve special mention:

Student	Grade 9	Grade 8	Grade 7
James Cooper  Oliver Forgan  Brandon Hawkes  Luke Lochhead  Thomas Quail  Danny Scott	8 7 9 9 5 8	3 4 2 1 7 2	1   1

William Manning, Headteacher at St Birinus, said: 

“Well done to all our Year 11 boys this summer! In this year of all years, you have demonstrated such strength of character, perseverance and an amazing commitment to your studies, you have been an inspiration to the school community. I know that the SBS staff are incredibly proud of you and I am very grateful for their relentless hard work and drive helping you to realise your potential. I wish you every success for your next steps.”

Rachael Warwick, Executive Headteacher of Ridgeway Education Trust, said:

“Congratulations to all of our Year 11 students! We have always been proud of you and today is no exception. You have risen to the unprecedented challenges of the past year with characteristic determination, good humour and resilience. We are so delighted that your hard work over the last five years has been rewarded with these excellent results. Thank you, as ever, to the SBS staff whose commitment and ambition for our young people makes this success possible year after year.”

A PDF of the press release can be accessed here:

Press-Release-GCSEs-20-August-2020.pdf