Celebrations as GCSE students collect results

GCSE students from across the borough are celebrating after collecting their results today (24 August), with over 78.7 per cent receiving a grade 4 and above in English and Maths.

Nearly 2,000 students collected their results today, with teachers on hand in schools to celebrate the Year 11’s achievements, offer guidance on next steps and support for any disappointments.

Hundreds receive grade 4s and above in core subjects

It was another fantastic set of results this year, with 78.7 per cent of students receiving a grade 9 to 4 in English and Maths.

Broken down further, 83.6 percent received a grade 9 to 4 in English and 83.1 per cent received a grade 9 to 4 in Maths.

The number to achieve these grades for these subjects nationally were 64.2 per cent and 61 per cent respectively.

“I want to congratulate all students picking up their results today,” said Councillor Prue Bray, executive member for children’s services. “These results show the continued of excellence in our secondary schools across the board, with all bettering the national average in the core subjects.

“As always, students have worked incredibly hard to get to this point, and thanks also needs to be given to their parents and families, and teachers and wider school staff in preparing the students for and supporting them through the GCSE period.”

Help with the next steps

Elevate Wokingham is the council’s advice and support service for 16 to 18 year olds (or 24 for adults with special educational needs and disabilities) on employment, career planning, training, education, work experience and volunteering.

The team are ready to help people decide their next steps after their exam results and can be contacted on 07710 117 650 or at elevate@wokingham.gov.uk.

Looking after yourself

It’s normal to feel anxious or worried about an unexpectedly low result, but it’s useful to know that it isn’t the end - this happens to a lot of people and for many different reasons.

It can be difficult to stay calm, but there are still lots of options available and people and organisations which can provide support. 

The council’s emotional wellbeing hub for young people has provided these five top tips:

• Breathe – don’t panic, take time to refocus.
• Speak to someone – find someone who can help you focus and listen to how you are feeling.
• Explore your options – your school should have someone who can help but Elevate also can.
• Take your time – you don’t have to rush or make a snap decision. Wait until you’re less stressed.
• Get support – if you need someone to talk to you can find a range of different options on the council’s emotional and mental health support for children and young people webpage.

Note: All data correct at the time of publishing