Many students had spent two years studying and preparing for their exams, which were cancelled as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.
Despite the circumstances, Victoria College students achieved their best ever set of GCSE results. Headmaster Alun Watkins said: ‘They have shown great determination and resilience in overcoming the disappointment of not being able to sit their examinations this summer.’
A fifth of the grades awarded to Victoria College students were at the highest possible level, which is grade 9, and 66% were at 7 to 9, which is equivalent of an old A or A*.
Mr Watkins said he was now looking forward to welcoming the majority of his Year 11 students back to the school for the beginning of sixth form in September.
‘Achieving excellent examination grades is only one measure of success and these boys have contributed greatly to our school in all aspects of their education,’ he added.
Hautlieu School’s head teacher Nick Falle said that the GCSE class of 2020 had remained positive, had enthusiastically prepared for their sixth-form courses and had helped to support one another during what he called the ‘most unusual of school years’.
He said: ‘I am so proud of what the students have achieved in their GCSE results and want to say, loud and clear, that these Hautlians absolutely deserve their fantastic results which are the culmination of their ambition, commitment and support of parents and teachers.’
Beaulieu School students are also celebrating their GCSE results, which follow on from a ‘strong’ set of A-level results last week.
The school achieved a 100% pass rate and the head of school Andrea Firby said she was delighted they had seen such an impressive set of grades.
She added: ‘I’m thrilled that our students’ efforts, past performance and hard work have been recognised and rewarded. These results continue to build upon the school’s excellent academic reputation and I am very grateful to our conscientious and dedicated team of staff and so proud of our students.’
At Les Quennevais School, head teacher Sarah Hague wrote an open letter to students congratulating them on their achievements.
She said the grades received were a fair and accurate representation of each individual based on robust data which has hopefully given them the outcome they expected. She added that, after controversy over the original grading process, she was delighted that teachers could look them in the eye and tell them that their hard work over that period had paid off and they got what they deserved and should be proud of themselves.
A UK government U-turn meant that teacher-assessed grades would stand and not be subject to regrading by exam regulator Ofqual. Controversy over the original grading process using an algorithm has led to calls for UK Education Secretary Gavin Williamson to resign.
The Children, Young People, Education and Skills Department said the final grades should be celebrated and reflected the hard work and dedication students had put into their two years of study.
The department said it would continue to focus on the progression of the Island’s students and support them with their future options.
Meanwhile, in an open letter written to GCSE students, Education Minister Tracey Vallois, Children’s Minister Sam Mézec and Assistant Education Minister Jeremy Maçon congratulated students on their results.
The letter said: ‘Since February you have found yourself in so many challenging situations. School closures and exam cancellations in March and then the impact of lockdown on you and your families are pressures that no other year group of students have ever had to face.
‘You have had to deal with so much disruption to your plans, whether that was for a leavers’ party or a traditional end of term, and of course you have not had the opportunity to sit your examinations. While that may have been a relief on one level for some of you, I know that many of you also felt deprived of the chance to show what you can do.’
They added: ‘This week, therefore, as you get confirmation of your centre assessed grades, we hope that you are able to celebrate the end of this stage of your education with a real sense of pride.
‘These grades have been carefully decided by your schools, and truly reflect the end of your examination courses and the commitment and energy that you and your teachers have put into your studies.’
