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GCSE results 2019: Find out how schools fared across Black Country and Staffordshire

Pupils across the Black Country and Staffordshire are hoping to be on cloud nine today as the long wait for GCSE results ends.

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Tia Stephenson, Channon Andam and Raveena Ram at Aldersley High School

Many Year 11 students will be breathing a sigh of relief as they find out whether their hard work has paid off and if they’ve secured the grades they need for sixth form or college.

This is the second year of the new grading system for GCSEs. A top mark is now a 9, with students being marked with numerical grades from 1 to 9, rather than the better-known alphabetical grades of A* to U.

More coverage:

The new grading for GCSEs

Last year the proportion of entries getting a grade 7 – the equivalent of an A – was up year-on-year for the first time since 2011.

But the overall pass rate – the share of entries getting 1/G or above – was 98.3 per cent in 2018. This was down slightly on 2017, when the figure was 98.4 per cent. It is also the lowest overall pass rate since 2007.

Results in your area

This page will be updated throughout the day as we receive results from schools across the Black Country and Staffordshire.

Please refresh for the latest version.

Wolverhampton

A young girl from Bilston is celebrating once again after passing another GCSE with flying colours at the age of just 12.

Last year, Bei Salmon got an A* in an iGCSE chemistry exam (the international version of a GCSE), and has followed up her success with an grade 8 in her maths GCSE.

Bei, who has been home schooled since birth, holds the ambition of becoming a chemist in the future, following in the footsteps of notable female Nobel Laureate winners such as Marie Curie.

Bei Salmon

Highfields School is celebrating its best ever set of GCSE results, with 80 per cent of students achieving a standard pass and 56 per cent of students achieving a strong pass in both English and maths.

Mrs Clifton, Head of Upper School, said: “We are very proud and pleased that our students continue to achieve more, year on year.

“We would like to offer our congratulations to students, parents and staff for their fabulous achievements and fantastic progress made.”

Meanwhile independent Tettenhall College is also celebrating another strong set of exam results, with 75 per cent of students achieving grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) including English and Maths.

St Edmund's saw 70 per cent of students in English and 65 per cent in Maths achieve grades 9 to 4, while 21 per cent got grades 9 to 7 in at least one subject.

Wolverhampton's The Royal School saw a "significant" number of pupils achieve 9 to 7 in modern foreign languages, chemistry, biology, DT, art and religious studies.

Independent Wolverhampton Grammar School saw 89 per cent of its students achieve the equivalent of A* to C grades, with 136 grade 9's handed out.

Kathy Crewe-Read, head of Wolverhampton Grammar School, said “Congratulations to all our Year 11 students collecting results this week.

"For those students who were awarded nothing but exceptional grade 9s, their success is truly outstanding when you appreciate that last year, this made up just over 4 per cent of all grades issued nationally.

"Grade 9 is not the same as the old A* grade – it’s a new grade designed to recognise the very best performance.

"Nationally, it is predicted that there will be even fewer grade 9s awarded this year, illustrating just how well those Wolverhampton Grammar School students have done”.

Wolverhampton Girls’ High students picking up their results

Wolverhampton Girls’ High headteacher Trudi Young said: “Congratulations to all of our students on their fantastic GCSE results.

"They have worked incredibly hard to secure such great outcomes.

"I am incredibly proud of the way the students have given their personal best. they should each be congratulated for achieving such great results".

The school saw three quarters of all grades come out at 9 to 7.

Aldersley High School achieved 71 per cent grades 9 to 4 in English and maths and more than 45 per cent 9 to 5.

Headteacher Nicola Davis said: "I've been in tears all morning. I'm so proud of all the students and staff and I can't wait to see what they do next.

"When you know the children and the struggles they've faced and what they've come up against it just makes you so proud of what they've achieved.

"The staff have worked from 7:30am until 7 at night and also worked every Saturday to support their students. It's been such a tremendous effort."

Students open their results at at Aldersley High School

Raveena Ram, aged 16, from Whitmore Reans, secured the highest grades in the year with five grade 9s and three 8s.

She said: "It was unexpected. I didn't expect to do this well, you can work really hard and still not get there, but I'm really happy."

Tia Stephenson, Channon Andam and Raveena Ram at Aldersley High School
GCSE results day shock for this Ormiston SWB Academy student

Ormiston SWB Academy in Bilston have seen a significant increase in pupils receiving a strong pass of grade 5 or more in their English and maths GCSE's this year

Overall, 18 students managed to achieve the highest accolade of grade 9, while 34 students attained a distinction in vocational subjects.

Rod Hughes, Principal of Ormiston SWB Academy, said: "We are delighted that students at Ormiston SWB continue to make strong progress and I'm pleased and incredibly proud of all our students, who have worked so hard to get the grades they need and deserve."

St. Peter’s Collegiate School saw three quarters of all students achieved a grade of 4 or above in five or more subjects including English and maths.

Ormiston New Academy had 45 per cent of its students achieve a grade 4 or above in English and maths.

Walsall

West Walsall E-Act Academy will see a record number of students heading into its sixth form after the academy also saw a 12 per cent increase in the number of students achieving a standard pass in both English and maths – up from 41 per cent in 2018 to 53 per cent in 2019.

Headteacher Sarah Murcott said: “It is testament to the attitudes and dedication of students and staff at West Walsall E-ACT Academy that so many have achieved such remarkable GCSE results.”

Pool Hayes Academy has seen an improvement in Maths and English, compared to last year.

Principal, Phillipa Harris said: “Our students have performed superbly this year and it is especially pleasing to see students achieve grade 9s.

"The guidance and support from our excellent Pool Hayes staff have been key to this success”

Queen Mary's Grammar School saw 76 per cent awarded grades 9 to 7 with more than 50 per cent getting grades 8 and 9.

More than 85 per cent of all results in maths and science were grade 7 or higher.

Bloxwich Academy headteacher Andy Seager said: “I am over the moon with the progress our pupils have made.

"These results truly reflect the hard work and commitment of our pupils, parents and staff."

Bloxwich Academy pupils picking up their results

Brownhills School headteacher Helen Keenan said: "I would like to congratulate all our students on their well-earned success today; it was lovely to see so many parents here today celebrating with their children.

"These achievements are a result of the hard work of students, the dedication and commitment of staff and the support of parents and Governors. We look forward to seeing them go on to follow their dreams and wish them well for the future.”

Pupils from Hydesville Tower School are celebrating their GCSE results with 98 per cent of all papers taken achieving a “good pass” or better, with the national average sitting at 67 per cent.

The school saw 44 per cent of grades coming in at 7 to 9.

Aldridge School headteacher, Ian Bryant said: “I am very proud of what our students have achieved and would like to congratulate them on their success.

"I am delighted that the hard work of students and staff has been rewarded with improved results.”

Ormiston Shelfield Community Academy are proudly celebrating positive GCSE results in a number of subjects, with students who gained a passing grade of 4 or higher in English and maths increasing by 5 per cent compared to last year.

Impressive results were also seen in physics, biology and geography.

Principal Stuart Turnbull said: "We are very pleased to see such a strong improvement in results this year, which is testament to the hard work and commitment of our students and staff, as well as our strong school community."

St Thomas More Catholic School were very pleased for the success of their students as many of them aspire to go into careers such as forensic science and architecture.

Grace Academy Darlaston are continuing to see a year on year improvement with their results, and this year a record number of students received the highest GCSE grades.

Principal Carl Salt said: "With most students achieving outstanding success, they are all well prepared for the next step in their educational journey."

Dudley

Josh Strachan, Alice Mason, Dylan Blackmore and David Farnsworth at Holy Trinity School

Students at Holy Trinity School in Kidderminster are celebrating after achieving 100 per cent pass rate with 14 per cent of all achieving grades 9 to 7.

Headteacher, Pamela Leek-Wright, said: "I am delighted for our students who have once again achieved so much, and importantly now have the necessary skills they need to move on to their next stage of learning. Well done everyone."

Bishop Milner Catholic College has once again seen an increase in the number of passes, with the majority of it's students achieving strong results in both English and maths.

Significant improvement has also been made in the field of science, with 70 per cent of students passing the exam, an increase of 10 per cent compared to last year.

Principal of the school, Mr May, said: "The results for this year at both A-level and GCSE have been extremely pleasing and has confirmed that the college continues to provide its students with excellent provision and facilities in order to achieve well."

Students at King Charles I School were delighted with their results

Outstanding progress has again been made at King Charles I School, where headteacher Stephen Brownlow said: "I am delighted for the students. These outstanding results are a testament to the five years of dedication and hard work of our students and their teachers.

"It was great to see so many smiling faces as they pick up their results."

Students at Crestwood School are being praised for an excellent set of GCSE results this year, where 76 top grades of 9 to 7 grades were achieved.

Over two thirds of students also earned a pass or better in English.

Ellowes Hall Sports College released an outstanding set of results, with almost three quarters of students passing English and maths.

A total of 14 subjects had a pass rate (grade 4 or more) of over 75 per cent.

Leasowes High School have seen an increase in the number of students gaining top grades in their GCSE's, including grade 9's.

Particular attention has been paid to the excellent results in both the combined and individual Science classes.

Headteacher at Pedmore High School, Mr Lloyd, paid tribute to the parents and staff who have supported their students while at the school.

He said: "We are very proud of all of our young people. The grades they have secured will enable them all to progress onto the next stage of their education with confidence."

Windsor High School are following on from getting their best A-level results last week by achieving their best GCSE performance as well.

A fourth year in succession of gaining a positive progress score saw 62 of it's year 11 students attaining at least three grades at 9 to 7.

The school also achieved 71 per cent of students achieving grades 9 to 4 in English and maths.

Four Dwellings Academy had 49 per cent at grade 9 to 4, up from 47 per cent in 2018.

Headteacher Rebecca Elcocks said: “I am incredibly proud of the achievements of pupils at Four Dwellings Academy this year. In particular, the number of pupils gaining a grade 5 or better in English and Maths has improved, and the number of pupils achieving the EBacc has increased significantly.

"Well done all!”

Students at The Bewdley School are celebrating with 72 per cent achieving both English and maths at grade 4 or above and 51 per cent at grade 5 or above.

Old Swinford Hospital (OSH) boarding school saw 88 per cent of pupils achieve grades 9 to 4 in both English and maths.

Celebrations are underway at Summer Hill School, who's pupils managed to help the school improve on the great results from last year.

Acting headteacher, Adrian Cresswell, said: "We expect that our progress figure will be the best ever in the school's history, once the national figures are confirmed."

Dudley College of Technology had 60 per cent of pupils achieving top grades in English and 44 per cent in maths.

Kingswinford Academy saw 72 per cent of students get grades 9 to 4 in English and Maths.

Sandwell

Emily Fox from West Bromwich has secured some of the best grades in the country, as she picked up 10 grade 9s.

The 16-year-old pupil at King Edwards VI High School for Girls, in Edgbaston, Birmingham, was in floods of tears as the results were unveiled.

She teenager, who is on a free scholarship at the school, combined her GCSE revision with a starring role in a school theatre production, and is currently appearing at the Alexandra Theatre in Birmingham with a role in Singin' in the Rain.

“This means so much to me.

“I worked incredibly hard for these exams as I really wanted to make my family proud.

"Getting a scholarship when I was 11 gave me the chance to come here and it’s really changed my life.

"I took up drama and dance when I arrived and I absolutely love it."

Celebrating at Bristnall Hall Academy in Oldbury are Ellie Sheward,Callum Esprey, Brayden Birch, Francesca Barker and Lillie-Mae Clewer

Students at Bristnall Hall Academy, in Oldbury, are celebrating “outstanding progress” in a number of subjects, including English and maths.

Headteacher Kully Uppal said: “Students from our academy have achieved another excellent set of results and this success sustains the year on year rapid improvement and high performance at our academy.”

And Ormiston Forge Academy in Cradley Heath saw more than half of all students achieve a grade 4 or above in English and maths. In English, 74 per cent of students achieved a grade 4 or above.

Dr Lisa Mason, headteacher, said: “We are pleased with the GCSE results this year which show a significant and obvious attainment improvement on our strong results from 2018. We are proud of the achievement of our students and the tremendous effort our teachers have put in.”

Headteacher of Wood Green Academy in Wednesbury, James Topham, said: “We are extremely pleased with this year’s GCSE results and in particular I am delighted with the progress that the students continue to make at Wood Green Academy.

"I’d like to thank all the students, staff and parents for their hard work over the past five years.

"Additional congratulations go to Rabia Begum who secured the very highest grade 9 in all of her subjects.”

At Wodensborough Ormiston Academy, students and staff are celebrating after seeing a strong increase in the number of 9 to 7 grades, with a total of more than 16 per cent of all exams achieving the grade.

English grades were particularly successful, with 43 per cent of pupils achieving a grade of 5 or better.

Principal Leigh Moore said: "Words cannot express how proud I am of all of them and the fantastic staff at team WOA who have been integral to achieving today’s results."

Record figures have been achieved at Ormiston Sandwell Community Academy, where 55 per cent of students passed English and maths at grade 4 or higher.

The number of grade 9's awarded at the academy rose sharply, with 55 awarded this year compared to 21 last year, and the number of grade 9 to 7's also increased by 5 per cent.

Executive principal Marie McMahon said: "We wish the best of luck to our students as they go forward onto the next phase of their education."

Holly Lodge High School College of Science students were excited as they broke the envelope seal

Holly Lodge School College of Science headteacher Paul Shone said he is "delighted" with this year's GCSE results.

Stuart Bathurst Catholic High School in Wednesbury saw more than 70 per cent of students achieving a standard pass in English and 68 per cent in Maths.

Students at George Salter Academy in West Bromwich are celebrating their results with 65 per cent getting a grade 4 in both English and Maths and over one third achieved the higher Grade 5 in both subjects.

Adrian Price, Principal of George Salter Academy, said "Given the increased rigour and changes to GCSE courses, I am just so delighted that our students have risen to the challenge and that these results are so very good.

“I am proud of our fabulous students who have worked so hard and very grateful to our team of staff whose relentless drive, commitment and hard work ensured that the students were prepared for these examinations.

“We are proud to celebrate the success of our fabulous young people, wish them all the very best in the future and hope that they cherish their very special George Salter memories.”

Students celebrate at George Salter Academy

As GCSE results come flooding in, a Tipton teacher has encouraged students to thank teachers for their help.

It's part of campaign 'Get Into Teaching', which highlights the difference good teachers can make

Charlotte Wilde from Q3 Academy Tipton, said: “Witnessing students reach their potential, whether it’s through a small achievement in one lesson or the culmination of all their hard work on results day, is one of the most rewarding elements of being a teacher.

“As a teacher you don’t expect praise when you are working every day with students - you just aim to do the very best job you can. However, when they do take a moment to thank you, it reminds you of the part you’ve played in helping to shape their lives, which is a hugely rewarding feeling. I would encourage others to say ‘thank you’ - it will stay with them for years to come.”

Keziah Featherstone, head of school at Q3 Academy Tipton said: “At Q3 Academy Tipton, we are so proud of all of our students for their tremendous efforts in their external examinations this year. Many of our students have achieved grade 9s in some extremely challenging subjects."

There were many smiling faces at Health Futures UTC in West Bromwich where staff and students celebrated the best GCSE results yet.

In the school’s specialist subject, Health and Social Care, the pass rate was 100 per cent with 75 per cent of students achieving merit, distinction or distinction star, which is well above the national average.

The percentage achieving good passes in English and maths rose to 55 per cent, an increase from last year.

Health Future’s vision is to prepare young people for a future careers in health and social care and science professions.

Principal, Ruth Umerah said, “Our students and staff have worked very hard. There have been significant changes made to the school over the last 18 months; it is great to see the impact of those changes in the outcomes of our students.”

Head of school at Q3 Academy Great Barr, Mark Anull, said: "We are delighted that so many of our students have done so well with a record number of top grades.

"The top five highest attainers are all boys and they have an outstanding 26 grade 9s between them."

Staffordshire

St Dominic’s Grammar School in Brewood is celebrating every student achieving at least five GCSE pass grades.

A total of 94 per cent of students also achieved five or more GCSEs graded level four and above including English, maths and science.

Headteacher Peter McNabb said: “All of our pupils have worked incredibly hard and we are immensely proud of their achievements.”

Heather Winwood, Maddie Hart and Emilia Pumphrey celebrating their results at St Dominic's Grammar School, Brewood

And fellow independent school Stafford Grammar is celebrating a total of 97 per cent of its students achieving 9 to 4 grades including English and maths.

Cheslyn Hay Academy saw an increase in the number of students achieving grades 9 to 5.

Headteacher Nicky Crookshank said: "I am really pleased that the hard work of students, parents and staff is reflected in the results and that our school continues to improve.”

Great Wyrley Academy has seen 50 per cent of students achieve a pass in English and Maths, which is a 10 per cent increase from 2018.

Headteacher Ian Moreton said: “Indications are that we have made over 3 tenths improvement on the most important progress 8 measure this year.

"This puts us amongst the most improved schools in the region and likely the whole of the country. I am incredibly proud of the students and staff who worked tirelessly to make this possible.”

Head Girl Charlotte Harper, aged 16

The academy's top individual performer was Head Girl Charlotte Harper who achieved grade 9s in biology, chemistry, physics and geography as well as a distinction* in business studies.

Maple Hayes Dyslexia School in Lichfield has helped its 18 GCSE students achieve their desired marks, despite many of them being unable to read or write when they joined the school.

Of the 18 students, five got eight full GCSEs with 50 per cent achieving five or more.

History, art and design and English language results were particularly strong, with 67 per cent of pupils achieving a grade four or higher.

Billy Walker, Will Kingston and Lois Pickard with Dr Daryl Brown

Kingsmead School had an average grade of 4 and had an eight per cent increase in grades 9 to 4 and a 10 per cent increase for grade 5 in English language and English literature.

Head of school Maria Mincher said: “We are all so proud of the exceptional achievement of our students.

"It is a pleasure to see all their hard work and dedication rewarded as they open their envelopes today and we share their excitement for the opportunities their strong results now afford them."

The Hart School in Rugeley saw 80 per cent of pupils score a 9 in art photography.

Principal Chris Keen: "We’re delighted to be celebrating a significant and continued increase in our GCSE results which is indicative of the hard work from our dedicated staff and students.

“There are more subjects than ever achieving level 9 and more students have obtained these levels than ever before."

At Lichfield Cathedral School, 39 per cent of all grades were 9 to 7, 94 per cent were 9 to 4 and there was a 100 per cent pass rate at the school.

Head teacher Susan Hannam said: “It has been a privilege to witness so many delighted students and their parents collecting exam results this morning. I am so proud of this year group."

At Chase Grammar School International Study Centre, a small school with international and British students, 10 per cent of all grades achieved were at grade 9 to 8, and 26 per cent at grade 7.

Their international students also performed well, with 17 per cent of results graded at 9 to 8.

Headteacher of Cannock Chase High School, Iain Turnbull, said: “I would like to congratulate all of our successful students.

"Staff and students have worked exceptionally hard to achieve these positive results.

"Cannock Chase High School is continuing its upward trend on academic success for all our students.”

Lola Fittes cries happy tears at Cannock Chase High School
Cannock Chase High School students in shock as results are revealed

At Kinver High School results are building upon their successes from previous years, with figures suggesting a 65 per cent pass rate in English and maths, and 46 per cent achieving a grade 5 or above in these subjects.

Headteacher Daniel Taylor said: "We are delighted to see the school continue to build on last year's results. Our students should be proud of what they have achieved."

Pupils from Wombourne High School have worked hard to achieve some fantastic results, with 41 per cent gaining at least one grade of 7 or higher.

While 70 per cent of students also passed GCSE maths and English, compared to the national average of 59 per cent.

Blessed William Howard Catholic High School got a 78 per cent pass rate in English and a fifth of all students achieving grade 7 or above in the subject.

The Friary School in Lichfield have made significant improvements across the board this year, with 73 per cent of pupils English and maths at grade 4 or above.

Assistant headteacher Sam Sullivan said: "We were absolutely delighted when we reviewed the year 11 exam results. They key for us is always very much about moving students on from when they joined us and the leaps many of them have made have been incredible."

Lichfield College had a pass rate of 94 per cent.

Our reporters were at schools across the region this morning as the results came in:

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