Schools across Watford and the surrounding areas have praised students for their GCSE success after overcoming the Covid disruption.

Rickmansworth School in Croxley Green said it was celebrating its “best ever examination results” when the grades were revealed on Thursday, August 24.

A total of 95 per cent of students achieved grade 4 or higher in English and maths.

The school added that 80 per cent of students attained a grade 5 or higher in English and maths.

Watford Observer: Top row, left to right: Myles O’Brien, Matt Fletcher (headteacher) and Alice Dermody. Bottom row, left to right: Dan Cloke and Beau MalletTop row, left to right: Myles O’Brien, Matt Fletcher (headteacher) and Alice Dermody. Bottom row, left to right: Dan Cloke and Beau Mallet (Image: Rickmansworth School)

GCSEs are now marked from a scale of 1-9. Grades 7 to 9 are considered As with those marked 4 to 6 considered Cs and Bs.

The grade 3 largely corresponds to a D with 2 and 1 reserved for Fs and Gs.

This year, across England, Wales and Northern Ireland, 22 per cent of GCSE entries were awarded a 7 or above, down from last year when 26.3 per cent of entries achieved the top grades.

However, this year remains higher than the equivalent figure for 2019 – before the pandemic – of 20.8 per cent.

Emmie Poradzisz, 16, from St Michael’s Catholic High School in Watford, told the Watford Observer what her plans are after attaining a 7 in English literature and 6 in English language – she was predicted 5s.  

Watford Observer: Emmie PoradziszEmmie Poradzisz (Image: Newsquest)

She said: “I couldn’t open the envelope. I’m so shaken up. I hit most of my targets. All my hard work paid off.”

Emmie will be going on to study art A-level, business, and media BTECs.

The school’s headteacher Edward Conway praised the students. He said: “They have all been amazing and deserve their success.”

Students at The Grange Academy in Bushey were also commended on their success after nearly 20 per cent achieved a grade 7-9 in English or maths.

Watford Observer: Left to right: Graziella Csiszar, Adriana Boby, Nicole Schelling, Grace Buckingham and James Shepherd from The Grange Academy.Left to right: Graziella Csiszar, Adriana Boby, Nicole Schelling, Grace Buckingham and James Shepherd from The Grange Academy. (Image: The Grange)

Its principal Danny Bryant said: “For so many students these results reflect their exceptional determination, resilience and adaptability.”

A spokesperson for the Westfield Academy in Watford said that more than 60 per cent of students achieved a pass in both English and maths, and 97 per cent of students attained a pass or above in BTEC sport. 

St Michael’s Catholic High School, The Grange and Westfield Academy declined to reveal what percentage of pupils attained grades 5-9.