Gripping GCSE grades

 #EXCELLENCE 

12/08/2021

As a school community, we take great pleasure in celebrating the success of our (I)GCSE students. Throughout a challenging year, they faced and overcame many obstacles together and so it is only right they now take the time to reflect on their success and enjoy the moment before embarking on the next step of their school journey.

A defining feature of this cohort of students, has been the way they approached their (I)GCSE programme together, they showed determination in supporting each other through the highs and lows of the entire two-year course.  

While there is the potential for the media to focus on ‘inflated grades’, it is important to remember that the grades achieved are the result of work that was submitted over the entire year and thus a very fair reflection of students attainment. Our students approached every assessment this year as though it might count to their final grade and this attitude and effort has been rewarded. It is also noteworthy that at JESS all grades were based on examinations, with official marks schemes and grade boundaries that had been produced by examining bodies. This rigorous process ensured that school assessed grades were able to standup to the external moderation process that took place and our students can go forward with confidence into their sixth form studies. 

2021 GCSE Exam Highlights

• 47.7% achieved A* grade 9
• 68.9% achieved A* grade 8-9
• 85.3% achieved A*-A grade 7-9
• 95.3% achieved A*-B grade 6-9
• 100% achieved A* - C grade 4-9
• 100% of the 130 students achieved 5 passes (A*-C) including English and Mathematics

Mr Mike Waller, Head of Secondary at JESS Dubai summarised by thanking all JESS staff that were involved in the process of grade submission. This process required a significant time commitment but is also one that proved the strength of our school systems in ensuring that students received a grade that was a fair and reasonable representation of their attainment in each subject.