Excellent GCSE Achievements

Students at The Petersfield School in Hampshire have today received their GCSE results, enabling them to successfully embark on the next chapter of their education.

Staff and students joined together to celebrate the many achievements, at the end of what has been a challenging year in light of COVID-19 and the cancellation of examinations.

Despite this, The Petersfield School, which is part of the high-achieving Bohunt Education Trust (BET), has continued to perform very highly, with some of the individual success stories including:

• Our highest performing girl, Daisy Webber, achieved a stunning eleven grade 9s GCSE results.  Daisy, from South Harting, is going on to Godalming to study Maths, French and Psychology. She said, “I’ve really enjoyed my time at TPS – even over the past challenging year, but the support of the school and my friends has made it memorable.”
• Our highest performing boy is our outgoing Head Boy, Joe Chinnock, who also achieved eleven grade 9 GCSEs.  Joe, from Petersfield, is going to study Maths, Physics and PE at Godalming. He said, “TPS has been brilliant and has exceeded my expectations.”
• Another high performing girl, Phoebe Patient from Sheet, achieved ten grade 9s and 2 grade 8s. She is also going to Godalming to study Maths, Chemistry and English Literature, and hopes to go on to study Genetics at University.
• Phoebe Clifton, from Petersfield, overcame challenges to achieve great GCSE results with three grade 9s, six grade 8s and a grade 6.  Phoebe has a rare condition which means that she is partially sighted and studying presents extra challenges.  Phoebe is going to Bohunt Sixth Form to study Biology, Psychology and PE.  She said, “The TAs at school have been super supportive and I have really appreciated their help.  TPS is a great school and I will miss everyone.”
• Tom Martin, from Emsworth, achieved a set of superb GCSE results including eight grade 9s and two grade 8s.  Tom faced significant adversity this year following a bike accident last September which resulted in a serious head trauma. Doctors had warned that he was unlikely to be able to do any schoolwork at all, and it took him 5 months to recover.  He is now off to Sixth Form to study Maths, Further Maths, Geography and Physics. Tom said, “I missed most of the Autumn term, and then we were in lockdown again, so I am really thrilled to have pulled it back and got these results.”
• Triplets Jasmine, Paige and Skye Garnett, from Horndean, had three times the celebrations upon receiving their excellent GCSE results!  Having been in the same education setting together since nursery school, all three are going on to Havant & South Downs – Jasmine to study Classic Civilisation and Business, Paige to study Law, Business and Music Production, and Skye to study Maths, English and Fine Art.

In addition to their excellent GCSE results, nearly one hundred TPS Year 11 students also successfully gained their Duke of Edinburgh Certificate of Achievement.  This was especially impressive this year due to the extra challenges presented when volunteering and learning a new skill during periods of lockdown.

Mark Marande, Principal at The Petersfield School, said:

“We are exceptionally proud of all of our students who have worked extremely hard over the last two years, and beyond, to receive their excellent grades today. We are thrilled to be able to celebrate their achievements, which are hugely deserved.  They really are the ‘bounce back’ generation and we are very excited to hear about their undoubted future successes.

It is with enormous thanks to all our students, their families, our staff, our governors and the wider school community for their ongoing support over the past year that we look forward to seeing our students take their important next steps.”

Neil Strowger, Bohunt Education Trust Leader said,

“Our young people have demonstrated resilience, resolve and tremendous commitment throughout this disrupted and difficult year. They thoroughly deserve their results today, which will set them up well for the next stage of their education.”

Damian Hinds, MP for East Hampshire said,

“I would like to offer my sincere congratulations on today’s GCSE results. The circumstances surrounding exams and the challenges faced by schools this year have clearly not dented students’ commitment and energy. These results are the culmination of years of discovery and study, and reflect the dedication of young people, their families and teachers.  All involved should be very proud of their achievements and I wish the students the very best for the next step in their journey.”

Due to COVID-19 and the cancellation of examinations, young people’s grades have been determined by teachers, based on work students produced throughout their course, in line with Government guidance. These grades were then moderated and assessed by external exam boards which awarded the final grades.