GCSE Results 2018 - Woodbridge School

GCSE Results
   2018

Headmaster’s Introduction

                          We are absolutely thrilled with this year’s GCSE results
                          and would like to applaud all of our Year 11 pupils on
                          their accomplishments. There were even more top
                          grades this year at Woodbridge; over 40% of all grades
                          was either a 9(A**) or an 8 (A*)! This is a remarkable
                          feat and a true testament to how hard our pupils have
                          worked and how well they have performed in this year’s
                          more demanding public examinations.These are the best
                          GCSE results the School has ever seen and confirms
                          the obvious impact of ‘Learning@Woodbridge’ and the
                          high quality academic provision we provide.

I would like to thank the superb teaching staff for their commitment to each
and every pupil – going the extra mile is synonymous with our ethos and the
School providing an outstanding educational experience as a result. We endeavour
to know and value every pupil, ensuring they have a firm foundation upon which to
build during their A Level studies next year.The Sixth Form team are ready to help
them adjust to the reformed, more challenging, A Levels next year.

Finally, thank you to all of our parents for your support. It has been a pleasure
meeting many of you today and I look forward to getting to know you all when
the new academic year starts in earnest in a few weeks. I am sure you are as
thoroughly proud of your sons and daughters as we are. This year has yielded a
fantastic, record-breaking crop of results and every pupil needs to be immensely
proud of their individual efforts as we look forward to the next phase of their
academic journey. A huge congratulations to all!

Dr Richard Robson
Headmaster

Results Headlines

   •    The School’s best GCSE results ever

   •    41% of all grades were awarded at 9-8 (A** and A*)

   •    59% of all grades were awarded at 9-7 (A**-A)

   •    96% of all grades were awarded at 9-4 (A**-C)

   •    Over a quarter of all pupils received 100% 9-7 (A**-A) grades

 Revised Grading for 2018

To keep pace with universities’ and employers’ demands from pupils, the content
and the way GCSEs are graded have been reformed. The new GCSE courses have
more demanding subject content than required previously. Pupils no longer receive
grades A*-G as they have in the past. Instead GCSEs are now graded from 9-1, with
9 being the highest grade.

The new grade 4 is roughly the same as the ‘old’ grade C, a grade 7 is the same as
the ‘old’ A grade, with the new grade 9 being above the standard of the old A*.This
makes the pupils’ achievements this summer even more impressive, with over 40%
of pupils achieving grades 9-8. Congratulations to all of them on their individual
achievements.

Miss N King
Deputy Head Academic

CASE STUDY: Maud Peel

 GCSEs:
 9 GCSE Grade 9 (A**)
 1 GCSE Grade 8 (A*)

 What Next?

 A Levels in German, French, Latin and History,
 with the goal of studying Languages at university.

I would love to go to university to study Languages, but I am not sure which university in
particular as I would prefer not to limit my options. I am hoping that the support offered
in Year 12 will help me to choose what I will study and then I will concentrate on where
is best for the subject and for me.

I joined The Abbey in Year 5 and have since benefitted from amazing teaching
across the board.The healthy competition in the classroom and on the sports field
have helped to make me a more confident person in general. Ever since I joined
Woodbridge, there has been a big emphasis on sport in my school life and I have
enjoyed taking part in team activities such as hockey, netball and rounders. I have
also been given the chance to take part in individual sports such as tennis, athletics
and swimming. Woodbridge has also given the opportunity to take part in school
musicals, Artistic Excellence programs and the RAF section of the CCF.

I really like languages and Woodbridge has allowed me to study a wide range,
including German, French, Latin and even Ancient Greek to GCSE level.The teachers
always encourage us to improve our skills inside and outside the classroom, whilst
offering extra reading and lunchtime clinics.

As well as all the academic and extra-curricular opportunities, I am very grateful
to Woodbridge for the chance to make some great friends. The School has a really
caring ethos.

CASE STUDY: Toby McNally

 GCSEs:
 7 GCSE Grade 9 (A**)
 3 GCSE Grade 8 (A*)

 What Next?

 A Levels in Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry and
 Physics plus an additional EPQ with the goal of
 studying Medicine at university.

For A Level I wish to study Mathematics, Chemistry, Biology and Physics plus an additional
EPQ. I feel this will provide me with a solid foundation in order to pursue a career along a
sciences route. More specifically, I would like to study Medicine at Cambridge.

I have been at Woodbridge from Reception (the very beginning!), and as a result
I have received a strong education throughout my school life. This has benefited
me in targeting the top grades at GCSE, and given me the confidence to be able
to pursue extra-curricular interests. Furthermore I have some very close friends
who, like me, have been at the School for a very long time. At Queen’s House I
remember the warmth of the teachers as they helped me to learn to write. At
The Abbey I remember summer sports in the beautiful grounds and Mr Smith’s
wacky science lessons, and finally in the Senior School I am enjoying the range of
activities which encourage success in all aspects of school life.

I enjoy Drama and stage performances, and have loved the responsibility of
principal roles in several productions. Furthermore I play two instruments: I play in
the Swing Band and Concert Band on both the Alto and Baritone Saxophone, and
was delighted to win the School’s Intermediate Piano Competition this year.

I enjoy sport at the School too! This year, I was lucky to be selected for the under
17 Rugby Team and the 1st Hockey teams. I also take part in the RAF section of
the CCF on a Friday afternoon, and have completed my Bronze Duke of Edinburgh
award.This summer I started my Gold Award by travelling to Morocco with school
to take part in community work and climb Mount Toubkal.

CASE STUDY: Amy Graham

  GCSEs:
  7 GCSE Grade 9 (A**)
  3 GCSE Grade 8 (A*)

  What Next?

  A Levels in Art, Mathematics and Biology.

At the moment I don’t have a particular university in mind, however I am interested in
taking a design/architecture course and am thinking of taking A Levels in Art, Mathematics
and Biology.

I’ve always been at Woodbridge, from Reception through to the Senior School. I
think the extra-curricular activities offered to me throughout have, in the simplest
way, made me a more interesting person. In particular Duke of Edinburgh, in which
I enjoyed taking part in Morocco over the summer.

I feel as though the School has allowed me to find myself in a position where I have
a sturdy foundation in every subject. I’m grateful for this in the sense that I don’t
feel limited to any future careers or jobs. Furthermore I feel the education has
benefited me in the way I can now appreciate things and places and find them more
interesting. For example I now walk into art galleries with a more analytical eye,
and having studied English techniques, I now appreciate their impact when enjoying
live poetry performances.

What I love about being at Woodbridge most though is the people. I’ve made
great friends who share my interests and hobbies, making me feel very at home at
Woodbridge. I also think the teachers are incredibly supportive and couldn’t have
been better throughout the stressful exam period.

CASE STUDY: Guy Seagers

  GCSEs:
  9 GCSE Grade 9 (A**)
  1 GCSE Grade 7 (A)

  What Next?

  A Levels in English, History, Mathematics and
  an EPQ. Considering universities.

I am still considering my options for university and the long-term future, but am interested
in studing at university in Scotland where the system is different and you are able to do a
broad range of subjects before specialising later.

I have been at Woodbridge since Reception at Queen’s House and have really
enjoyed the breadth of extra-curricular activities and academic subjects.

I am involved in lots of extra-curricular activities at the School. In sport I enjoy
basketball; but I particularly love drama, especially taking part in the musicals, and
have had leading roles in both the Senior School and The Abbey musicals. I also
really enjoy public speaking, and between LAMDA and MUN, Woodbridge has
given me many opportunities to pursue this passion.

I am a corporal in the CCF and have also just completed my Gold D of E expedition
to Morocco which was incredible. The School provides many opportunities for
travel; this year I have recently been to Krakow on a school trip, and in Year 9 I took
part in the German exchange. At The Abbey I was in various sports teams, took
part in Chess Club and it was where I started learning the clarinet. It has been a
very full school life so far!

Academically I am really interested in my A Level subjects; I am particularly looking
forward to studying Russian History, and over the summer I have been reading
Psychology books as this also interests me.

What do I love most about Woodbridge? Definitely the opportunities to discover
new interests, but most of all the people and the sense of community spirit.

CASE STUDY: Harriet Petley
 GCSEs:
 2 GCSE Grade 9 (A**)
 3 GCSE Grade 8 (A*)
 5 GCSE Grade 7 (A)
 What Next?

 A Levels in Biology, Chemistry and Academic
 PE, with the goal of studying Sports Science or
 similar at university in the UK or America.

At A Level I plan to take Biology, Chemistry and Academic PE, with the goal of
studying something related to Sports Science at either a British or American
university. I also plan to maintain my sporting commitments in order to reach the
highest level possible in my chosen sports.

I have been at Woodbridge since Year 7 and in this time I have massively improved
both academically and in terms of sport.The School had supported me in balancing
my time in striving for top sporting success whilst enabling me to achieve the most
that I can academically.

My extra-curricular interests lie in sport, particularly tennis and football, with my
current focus on playing for Ipswich Town Football Club womens’ team and trying
to gain promotion with them in order to play at a higher standard. However, I also
plan to continue playing tennis as much as possible, both socially and competitively,
as well as hopefully continuing to represent Suffolk throughout the year.

Attending Woodbridge School has enabled me to have many amazing opportunities
both academically and in terms of sport. Everyone at the School has been extremely
supportive of everything that I have done to date.

www.woodbridgeschool.org.uk