PHOTO GALLERY: Rotherham pupils celebrate top GCSE results despite exam changes

THOUSANDS of pupils are today celebrating after scooping great results across the borough for GCSEs.
Rawmarsh Community School students open their GCSE results. From left to right are: Chloe Haigh, Charlotte Rockley and Yazmin Thomson. 171455-2Rawmarsh Community School students open their GCSE results. From left to right are: Chloe Haigh, Charlotte Rockley and Yazmin Thomson. 171455-2
Rawmarsh Community School students open their GCSE results. From left to right are: Chloe Haigh, Charlotte Rockley and Yazmin Thomson. 171455-2

Individual pupils in Rotherham schools and colleges have scored exceptionally well again this year, with some scoring up to 11 top grades.

This is despite Government changes to the GCSE marking system which came into play for the first time this year. 

Pupils in England taking their exams this year are the first to be awarded numerical grades from nine to one, with nine being the top grade, instead of traditional alphabetical grades in maths, English literature and English language.  

The new English and maths GCSEs, which have been taught in classrooms across England since 2015, are also more challenging and cover more content than in previous years.

The changes are part of a larger reform by the Department for Education which began in 2011 with the national curriculum review.  

Changes to other subjects will take place in 2018 with all changes to GCSEs concluded by 2020. 

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Cllr Gordon Watson, deputy leader of Rotherham Borough Council, said: “Congratulations to all the students who have worked so hard to achieve these results, which are especially impressive given the added pressures due to the changes to the grading system and the more demanding English and maths GCSEs.

“Initially, these changes may be confusing for students and parents but Rotherham has a strong record of success of GCSE performance and despite the challenges, I'm sure our students and schools will continue to compete well on a regional and national scale. 

“I know a lot of hard work has gone into achieving these results and the pupils are a credit to the teachers, parents and of course themselves. 

“I’d like to say ‘well done’ to each and every student and wish them the best of luck in their future education and careers.”

See tomorrow’s Advertiser for reaction and details of the top-performing students and to buy any of the photographs click here or call our Wellgate office on 01709 379247.

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