GCSE Results Day at UCS Hampstead

Grey skies and lingering drizzle couldn’t dampen the spirits of Year 11 pupils at UCS Hampstead as this talented cohort celebrated fantastic GCSE results and looked forward to their next steps in the Sixth Form. Some 42% of grades were grade 9s, 73% were graded at 8–9 and 90% of all grades were 9–7. Thirty-four pupils scored exclusively grades 8s and 9s, leaving them with a clean sweep of A*s in old money. These results exceed the pre-pandemic record results achieved in 2019.

Many of those opening envelopes (or rather, emails!) filled with good news found themselves reflecting on the support, academic and pastoral, that helped them along the way. One such pupil was Joseph Hayes who was celebrating having opened a full set of grade 9s. He exclaimed: “I’m so happy, proud and just delighted that the hard work paid off.” Joseph added: “We were given so many opportunities to practise – from mock exams to end-of-year exams, all in the formality of the exam hall. So I felt much less nervous when the time came to actually sit the GCSEs. Our teachers also guided us through past papers and provided us with whole banks of resources, which was so helpful. This really helped me get through it.”

Joseph’s comments were echoed by Matt Goldberg who was also celebrating this morning having been awarded nine grade 9s and one grade 8. Matt reflected: “There’s a layer of support available, somebody to listen and to assist at any time.”

Typical of the broad, rounded approach to education at UCS, many of these ambitious young people balanced their workloads and wellbeing by spending time enjoying co-curricular pursuits during their years of GCSE study. Matt was involved in the Trinity Drama programme throughout the past two years and explained how it helped keep things in perspective: “Trinity helped keep my brain creative, it really stimulated the creative part of my brain.”

Edward Dyson also collected nine grade 9s and one grade 8 this morning and spoke animatedly about the school’s clubs and societies as a way to get involved beyond the classroom: “I set up the UCS Astrophysics Club with the support of the Head of Physics. It’s been a great way to learn about the subject I love outside of lessons, building my passion and a bigger knowledge base.” Edward also found time to complete his Duke of Edinburgh’s Silver and Bronze Awards during his Middle School career and looks forward to taking on the challenge of the Gold Award in the Sixth Form.

With GCSE results opened and celebrated, many of those at Frognal were rightly looking forward to Sixth Form life and beginning A Level study. Matt effused: “I’m really excited to meet all the new joiners, just to be learning in a new environment with all the new people. Also to go into greater depth in the subjects I love!” In addition to academic rigour, the UCS Sixth Form places emphasis on community work and co-curricular activities. Edward will be taking on Chemistry, Physics, Maths and Further Maths and said: “I’ve put down a volunteering elective which I’m really looking forward to. I hope to take up a placement doing academic support in a local secondary school.”

UCS Hampstead will welcome around 60 new joiners to the Sixth Form this year, linking up with those who move up from Year 11. This marks an exciting time for everyone and the school is very much looking forward to welcoming back new and familiar faces in September.