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“Straight A” Success: 59% of students achieve exclusively A* or A in their GCSE results
Innovative teaching and unique global learning opportunities set Westbourne apart.
Posted: 22nd August 2024
90% A*-B; 99% A*-C in STEM subjects
Students at Westbourne have once again attained outstanding results in their GCSE examinations, with an exceptional 59% of students achieving exclusively A* or A grades.
99% of our students attained A*-C in STEM subjects, reinforcing Westbourne’s position as one of the UK’s leading schools for science, technology, engineering & mathematics.
"One of the most outstanding features of a Westbourne education is how much value we add to each student’s academic profile. An incredible 59% of our students achieved straight A* or A grades this year, which are higher than national baseline tests indicated. These tests are used by all schools in the UK to judge how effective their teaching is and I am delighted to say that our students, on average, all scored higher than the data projected, which is testament to the students’ effort and the teachers’ skill in the classroom."
“With their academic profiles transformed, our talented students now have an exceptional head-start over their peers when it comes to Sixth Form study as well as for university applications. We are so proud of our students’ tenacity to achieve their very best.” Mr Paul Forsythe, Principal at Westbourne School
Exceptional students
Top scorers include Kyle who achieved an amazing nine A*s and three As; Elisa with nine A*s and one A; Owen, who has been at Westbourne since Reception, achieved a fantastic nine A*s and two As; Bethany secured eight A*s and four As; and Alvin achieved eight A*s and two As.
Kyle, Bethany and Owen achieved an A* average (grade 8) across 12 subjects, and Alvin and Elisa an A* average (grade 8) from 11 subjects.
75% of the school’s Year 10 students, who sat the Numeracy exam one year earlier than their peers, scored A* or A.
First-class teaching
A number of students collecting their results today attribute their success to the quality of teaching at Westbourne, as well as the personalised attention afforded to them by smaller class sizes.
Over the past few years, Westbourne has won a suite of esteemed national awards acknowledging quality of teaching and leadership, including three Pearson National Teaching Awards in 2024 for Headteacher of the Year; Innovator of the Year; and Early Years Team of the Year.
“I’ve made some amazing memories and have had some amazing teachers to help me through. There are some incredible teachers at Westbourne who genuinely support us and want us to succeed.” Addien, Year 11
“The best thing about Westbourne is being able to form new friendships and meet people from all over the world. I didn’t find my exams stressful at all, because I was well prepared and put in lots of work beforehand. Our teachers are amazing and make the subjects very interesting and fun to learn about.” Nia, Year 11
"The teachers have been great, very helpful and understanding. The feeling of being in a small community makes learning easier and more focused.” Alex, Year 11
A pioneering global classroom
Westbourne students have an unprecedented opportunity to share knowledge globally thanks to the school’s international network of academically elite colleges, including Westbourne College Sydney (1st in Australia for the highest proportion of 44+ IBDP Point grades in 2023 and 2024), Westbourne College Singapore and, launching imminently, Mumbai.
A pioneering global classroom model, powered by the latest technology, links students and teachers globally, in real time, allowing them to work together as if in the same room. Students build a network of like-minded peers, and develop the skills and global mindedness to succeed in the fields of business, entrepreneurship and STEM on the world stage.
Westbourne’s global network also uniquely empowers its teachers to seize opportunities to share research and best practices globally, bringing the finest global teaching to the heart of Penarth.
The edge in university applications
The school’s innovative approach to education continues to strengthen outcomes at GCSE and in the IB Diploma, offered by Westbourne in place of A Levels for the edge it gives students when applying to university. Westbourne has a century-long history of facilitating student access to the world’s leading universities, with graduates consistently ranking within the top 1% worldwide.
2024 IB results saw Westbourne students in Penarth secure places to study law, medicine and engineering at universities including the University of Cambridge, UCL and King’s.
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