Consistent hard work brings excellent results for Ipswich School pupils in an extraordinary year

GCSE Results

Ipswich School Headmaster, Nicholas Weaver, said he was delighted that the hard work of the school’s Year 11 pupils had culminated in an excellent set of GCSE results recorded for them today (Thursday 20 August).

Nicholas Weaver said: “I am so proud of our Year 11 pupils. They have had such an extraordinary six months and have risen to the challenge magnificently.

“Our excellent track record speaks for itself, but this is not the year to make historic comparisons. This year’s cohort have done fantastically well and we are delighted for them. I am thrilled that 46 pupils achieved 10 GCSEs at grade 7 or above, and that 9 pupils achieved the top grade 9 in all ten of their subjects. Almost half of GCSEs were awarded grade 9 or grade 8. These grades are the outcome of a robust and rigorous process involving all of our teaching staff, who approached the task with great application and integrity.”

He added: “These students have consistently engaged with their academic studies during their Ipswich School careers and this has clearly paid dividends for them. They migrated to remote learning with their characteristic maturity and commitment - adapting to the new style of teaching throughout their lessons which continued long after the public examinations had been cancelled. Ipswich School provided a pre-A Level programme after half term and it was so encouraging to see them embrace this educational breadth and stretch. This attitude will see them do well into the Sixth Form and beyond.”

Andrew Bradshaw, Head of Middle School, said: “It has been lovely to see our Year 11 pupils back in school. Today has been about celebrating with all our students across our full grade range and I am immensely proud of each and every one of them. Alongside their studies, they have also played highly active roles across the wider aspects of school life - sport, music, drama and community. Throughout their GCSE years they have also notched up many sporting accolades - such as national silver medals in girls’ cricket and boys’ indoor hockey. We also loved their involvement in the remote choirs and music ensembles during lockdown which kept all our spirits high.” 

Two sets of twins from Ipswich School achieved an amazing 38 grade 9s between them. Olivia and Will MacDonnell-Hannah both achieved ten GCSEs at grade 9, and Lewis and Paul Glancey achieved 18 grade 9s between them. Will said: “We’re not really competitive as we each have different interests.” while Olivia added: “It has been hard waiting for the results, but it shows that hard work pays off.” Lewis and Paul agreed that Paul was the most competitive, but he said it was good as they can help each other with practical things. Their dad, Dr Glancey said: “I am very proud of them both.”

Ipswich School GCSE statistics
Number of pupils: 123
% achieved at least a grade 4 in English and Maths: 99.2%
% GCSEs at grade 9: 28.2%
% GCSEs at grades 9-8: 49.2%
% GCSEs at grades 9-7: 70.1%

ALevel Results

Last week, Thursday 13th August, the School and pupils alike delighted in some excellent ALevel results. 

Ipswich School’s Headmaster, Nicholas Weaver, said how proud he was of this year’s A Level students, as the results were announced.

He said:“The overall picture for Ipswich School A Level results is excellent and reflects the school’s consistently outstanding academic performance. This is one of our strongest cohorts of students, and I am so proud of everything they have achieved. Over half of the results were graded A*-A and 29 students received at least 3 A grades. Seven students are headed to Oxford or Cambridge this autumn.”

He added: “These students have had to contend with the Covid-19 pandemic, the closure of schools and the abandonment of exams; they have shown how much they can rise to a challenge. They have engaged with our remote learning and embraced the additional teaching and pastoral support we provided once exams were cancelled.”

“As a consequence, our leavers are possibly the best-educated cohort to have left Ipswich School, having benefited from our ‘challenge and stretch’ programme in the summer term, designed to enhance their wider education and prepare them for university.”

Head of Sixth Form, Ben Cliff, added: “It is lovely to see our Year 13 leavers back in school, for us to support them on this very important day. We are celebrating with the majority and making sure that we also focus on helping those students who have been disappointed in this unique year.”

Ipswich School A Level statistics 2020

Number of students: 99
%A*-A: 50.2%
%A*-B: 78.6%
%A*-C: 94.9%
%A*-E: 99.7%