There was a fantastic atmosphere at Shebbear College this morning as Form 5 (Year 11) students celebrated an excellent set of GCSE results with friends, parents and teachers!

In a year where the proportion of candidates receiving the highest grades has fallen nationally, students at Shebbear have found that their hard work has paid off with many achieving outstanding results across all subjects, opening up exciting opportunities for the future.

Alice was thrilled to have achieved an incredible twelve Grade 9s in all subjects. “I was so nervous, I felt really sick as I came into school. I worked hard but didn’t really expect to achieve all 9s so I’m surprised but very happy!” Alice is planning to study A-Level maths, chemistry and either biology or physics in the Sixth Form at Shebbear. “I’m not sure what I’m going to do after A-Levels, but Medicine is a strong possibility.”

Sebastian is also celebrating today after gaining an impressive ten Grade 9s (including Computer Science which he took a year early) and two Grade 8s. “I’m very pleased with my results,” he said, “I was very nervous this morning and my heart wouldn’t stop beating until the moment I opened my envelope and saw my results, which was a massive relief! I’m going to study four A-Levels at Shebbear next year – maths, further maths, computer science and physics.” Sebastian, who is also a talented musician, having recently achieved Grade 7 distinction in Piano, is planning to study Computer Science at university after his A-Levels.

Three students, Lily, Darcey and Beth, travelled back to Devon this week to receive their GCSE results, having spent the summer in Australia! The girls have had the fantastic opportunity to take part in Shebbear College’s reciprocal sport exchange programme in partnership with Canberra Grammar School, an initiative offered to Year 11 students each year.

Reflecting back over the summer, Lily said, “Taking my GCSEs seems so long ago as I’ve been in Australia all summer! It’s been really cool getting to know a new community and a new school and the Australian girls are on their way to England as we speak, so I’m really looking forward to introducing them to Shebbear!”

As for her results, Lily commented that she was feeling a mixture of relief and excitement; “I’m very pleased, as I passed everything and I’m excited to be studying Philosophy, Music and Drama A-Levels in the Sixth Form in September.” 

Mr Jenkins said “I’m really pleased and proud of all our students and it was fantastic to see so many happy faces this morning! This year group have worked really hard across all subjects and it’s great to see so many of them achieving their personal best.

I wish them all the best for the future and I’m looking forward to seeing many of them return to Shebbear for the Sixth Form in a couple of weeks, when we have our biggest Lower Sixth cohort since before the pandemic. A huge thank you to our brilliant team of teachers, who have been a big part of this success, and well done everyone!”