News and Updates
22nd August 2024GCSE Results 2024
We are delighted to share with you the news of our incredibly strong GCSE results for 2024. These results are the best we’ve ever seen at County against almost every single measure and are a testament to the relentless dedication of our staff and the remarkable work ethic of our students. Our focus now shifts to welcoming these students into our Sixth Form, for which we are still accepting new applications, and to ensuring that they are prepared for the challenges and rigour of post 16 study.
Despite all and any challenges that have faced our outgoing Year 11s’ education, it has been truly rewarding to watch them grow into the outstanding young adults that they are today, supported by a fantastic team of staff. We are now looking forward to the upcoming national data analysis, which will allow us to precisely measure the progress of each student and the school as a whole. That said, given our very strong attainment figures, I’m confident that we have performed admirably as a school at GCSE level and that every child should be able to take pride in their achievements.
As we prepare now to enter the new academic year, our challenge is to continue striving for excellence for every single child. We have already spent considerable time reviewing our results, student by student and our focus now will be on those marginal gains that we can continue to make and that will continue to foster truly effective learning experiences for every student.
Today, then, marks the conclusion of one phase of each student’s education and presents a wonderful opportunity to celebrate their achievements. We are incredibly proud of the Year 11 Class of 2024 for their outstanding results and wish them the very best as they move on to the next chapter of their lives. For many, I’m thrilled to say that this next chapter will be with us here at Guildford County Sixth Form and we look forward to welcoming them and a large number of new recruits in September.
As we move into the new academic year, we will make it our mission to transform the lives of the children we serve and to ensure that learning is ever at the centre of our work here at County. We will do this with a care and dedication that set us apart from others.Read Full Article
15th August 2024A Level Results 2024
Celebrating the Success of Our Year 13 Students: A Bright Future Ahead
We are thrilled to announce the outstanding achievements of our outgoing Year 13 students. Their success is a testament to the dedication and hard work that they have put into their studies, supported by an exceptional staff team who have guided them every step of the way. Today, we celebrate not just the academic results but also the bright futures that await our alumni.
This year’s exam season was particularly challenging, given the disruption these students faced earlier in their secondary education due to the pandemic. Despite these obstacles, our students have shown remarkable resilience.
The atmosphere this morning, as we distributed exam results, was one of celebration and optimism, not just among the students but also among our staff. We have already begun planning for the coming academic year, discussing what more can be done, and what can be done differently, to secure even greater outcomes for the incoming Year 13 cohort. Our commitment to excellence remains unrelenting and we continue to have the highest expectations of ourselves and our students.
Today, we also take the time to reflect on the personal stories of individual students for whom these results represent significant milestones. Under the guidance of expert teachers and with the strategic support of our skilled Governing Body and growing Trust, our students have achieved remarkable success.
We are particularly proud of those students who have achieved straight A* grades and those who have far exceeded their targets. As a Music Specialist College, we are also delighted that two of our co-hort now go on to study at Conservatoire. As well as this, we have students studying Medicine and Veterinary Science as well as success at Oxbridge, not to mention those students going off to study for an apprenticeship and those planning to travel or enter the world of work. A really strong set of outcomes for a really strong group of young people.
Today marks the end of one phase of our students’ education and the beginning of another. We are proud to congratulate the Sixth Form Class of 2024 on their many achievements and wish them all the best as they embark on the next chapter of their lives. We hope many will choose to join our growing alumni community, allowing us to continue celebrating their successes in the years to come.Read Full Article
24th August 2023GCSE Results 2023
We are really pleased with today’s news of some great results at GCSE. Results that will open many doors for the students and results that buck the national trend this year of grade deflation. These results are amongst the best that the school has seen at GCSE level and are so as a result of the hard work and dedication of the staff team and also as a result of the work ethic shown by so very many of the children themselves.
Results distribution today went smoothly as a result of the work of the Exams and Sixth Form teams, but we must also thank the many other staff who attended earlier on this morning in order to help with the distribution of results and to offer their congratulations and support to the students themselves. This is not an obligation by any means, but it is hugely warming when colleagues choose to give up some of their holiday time so as to see the children through to the next stage of their life journeys.
Whilst much of the early part of our outgoing Year 11s’ secondary school studies were mired by the pandemic, it has been wonderful to watch them grow and develop into such wonderful young adults. We look forward, next, to the national level data analysis that will enable us to accurately assess the amount of progress that each child has made and that we have made as a whole school. That said, with attainment a useful proxy for progress we feel quietly confident that we have performed well as a school at GCSE level.
Over the five year story that we have jointly told together, each and every student is now able to take forward something that they can feel incredibly proud of and I am delighted to be able to share with you some individual stories of success.
With 40% of all grades awarded at 9-7, it is difficult to single out individual students. Deserving of a special mention, though, are Shiv, Jasmin, Erin, Koby, Isobel, Joseph, Amelia, Bishesta, Rose, Evie, Emma, Veronica, Jack and Rebecca for achieving exceptionally high results. We are especially proud also of Freya, Daisy and Ethan for achieving 10 or more GCSEs at grade 9 – a fantastic achievement. In total, 30 students achieved on average 2 grades or higher than expected – Hannah, Rose, Madeleine and Freddie achieved well above their target grades – a massive well done to them.
Today represents the end of one phase of each student's education and is a terrific opportunity to recognise and celebrate what they have all achieved. We are delighted to be able to congratulate the Year 11 Class of 2023 for their fantastic results and also to wish them well as they move on to the next phase of their lives with our full support and our very best wishes for the future. For many, I am thrilled to say that this will be here at Guildford County Sixth Form and we cannot wait to welcome them and a large number of external recruits through the doors in September.
Please see below some headline data for your interest.
2017/2018
2018/2019
2019/2020
2020/2021
2021/2022
2022/2023
#
%
#
%
#
%
#
%
#
%
#
%
EM5+
103
67.32
100
62.5
98
62.82
112
68.71
123
68.33
119
66
EM4+
122
79.74
131
81.88
135
86.54
132
80.98
152
84.44
145
80
E5+
121
79.08
123
76.88
123
78.85
125
76.69
145
80.56
132
73
M5+
106
69.28
107
66.88
107
68.59
120
73.62
129
71.67
136
75
S5+
101
66.01
99
61.88
109
69.87
123
75.46
120
66.67
122
67
Grade 9 to 8 (Inc A*)
403
26.72
285
19.09
365
25.03
427
27.35
409
24.91
402
24
Grade 9 to 7 (Inc A*-A)
631
41.84
507
33.96
621
42.59
674
43.18
677
41.23
648
39.34
Grade 9 to 5 (Inc A*-B)
1057
70.09
1039
69.59
1128
77.37
1122
71.88
1244
75.76
1180
72
Grade 9 to 5 (Inc A*-C)
1112
73.74
1039
69.59
1128
77.37
1122
71.88
1244
75.76
1180
72
Grade 9 to 4 (Inc A*-C)
1240
82.23
1246
83.46
1309
89.78
1299
83.22
1430
87.09
1364
83
Progress 8
0.56
0.37
0.66
0.68
0.51
+0.43
(subject to autumn confirmation)
Attainment 8
59.15
57.06
60.45
59.73
60.48
58.17
Total grades
1508
1493
1458
1561
1642
1644
This coming year, we will once again work on our genuinely held ambition to be leaders in secondary education and we will have a laser sharp focus on literacy, on leadership and on learning; delivering all of this with the love that sets us apart from many in our field and delivering it by working now on the marginal gains that will make all the difference and that will give rise to truly effective learning experiences for every single child.
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17th August 2023A Level Results 2023
Today we are celebrating the hard work and multiple successes of our Sixth Form students here at Guildford County School. Our sincere thanks go to the Sixth Form and Exams teams for making sure that the preparation for today and the results distribution morning itself ran so smoothly and also to the many other staff who attended earlier on in order to help with the delivery of results and to offer their congratulations and support to the students.
We are pleased that the build up to and delivery of the summer examinations season felt once again this year as we would hope, as we continue to emerge from the pandemic. It has also been interesting this week to read the commentary from experts in response to Ofqual’s move to return to a grading regime similar to that seen in 2019.
With the politics of education put to one side, then, I am really keen for us all at County to choose to look today at the personal stories of the individual students for whom this occassion represents the culmination of this chapter in their educational journeys. We should once again adopt the narrative of resilient learners, dedicating themselves to their studies under the leadership of exceptional colleagues from across the school – teachers, support staff and governors alike. These are students who have worked tirelessly over a great number of years and they are now able to move on to the next stage in their education with the sense of achievement and recognition that they so richly deserve.
Before we look at the results of the cohort as a whole, I am delighted to be able to share with you some individual stories of success.
Individual successes were many in a range of subject areas. We are particularly proud of several outstanding results from these high performing students. Joseph (A*, A*, A*, A), Eleanor (A*, A*, A*, B), Hannah (A*, A*, A*), Max (A*, A*, A*) and Daisy (A*, A*, A*).
At the time of writing, 72% of all of our departing students have secured places at Universities from Aberystwyth to Edinburgh to Plymouth with 44% of those students going to university accepting places at prestigious Russell Group universities. Three County students who held Oxbridge offers have been successful. Joe has secured a place at Cambridge to read Engineering. Josh is going to Oxford to read Philosophy, Politics and Economics and Isabelle has secured a place at Cambridge to study Modern and Medieval Languages. As a Music Specialist College, we are also thrilled to celebrate with Jim as he accepts a place at the Royal Academy of Music conservatoire. We also congratulate Thuan for securing a place at the University of the Arts of London, at the Jimmy Choo Academy.
Today represents the end of one phase of each student's education and the opportunity to recognise and celebrate what they have achieved. We are delighted to be able to congratulate the Sixth Form Class of 2023 for their many achievements and also to wish them well as they move on to the next phase of their lives with our full support and our very best wishes for the future. I am hopeful that many will choose to become members of our ever growing alumni community and that we will then be able to continue to watch their successes over the years to come.
Please see below some headline data for your interest.
A Level Grades
%
A*/A
27
A*/B
52
A*/C
73
A*/D
91
A*/E
97
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25th August 2022GCSE Results 2022
I am proud to say that we are today celebrating the resilience and dedication not only of our staff team - teachers, support staff and governors alike – but also of a cohort of children who have truly thrived in their summer exam experience at GCSE level here at Guildford County School. My thanks to the Exams team for making sure that this morning ran so smoothly and also to Daryl Bond and the Sixth Form team for ensuring that the Herculean task of enrolment got so swiftly under way. I must also thank the many other staff who attended earlier on today in order to help with the distribution of results and to offer their congratulations and support to the students themselves. This is not an obligation by any means, but it is hugely warming when colleagues choose to give up some of their holiday time so as to see the children through to the next stage of their life journeys.
Whilst the beginning of Year 11’s GCSE studies were last year disrupted by the pandemic, it has been wonderful to watch them refocus under Ollie Smith’s leadership and with the support of a superb Year 11 Tutor Team. It was superb, this year, to be back to public examinations and I am delighted to say that our results are at least equal to and in many places better than our best ever at GCSE level. I look forward, next, to the national level data analysis that will enable us to accurately assess the amount of progress that each child has made. That said, with attainment a useful proxy for progress I feel quietly confident that we have performed well as a school and, as result, that we will also have opened many doors for the children; guaranteeing them every chance of a bright future. Early Surrey level analysis suggests that we are in a very strong position against our peers and that the good name of the school remains just that.
For whatever part you have all played in these results, my sincere thanks. The challenge for us now, as we move into the new academic year, is that we must go again and go stronger next year, in order to get the same results for the children. This is because the Ofqual plan was always for the 2022 results to be better than they were in 2019, so to equal the results of 2022 in 2023, we will need to ensure even higher levels of performance from the children. We will need to ensure that they really are working as hard as their teachers and that there are no hiding places for underperformance as you all continue to work so tirelessly to give the children such an incredible school experience.
Over the five year story that we have jointly told together, each and every student is now able to take forward something that they can feel incredibly proud of and I am delighted to be able to share with you some individual stories of success.â¯
With 41% of all grades awarded at 9-7, it is difficult to single out individual students. Deserving of a special mention are Anna McKinney, Matilda Billinge, Dominic McCarthy and Sybil Gimblett for achieving exceptionally high results. We are also tremendously proud of Jasmin Schwartz, Ella Hobbs-Wilde, Daria Simpson-Dernovaya and Mohammad Mustafa who topped the value-added charts, achieving well above their individual target grades – a fantastic achievement.
The school also recognises the performance of the following students who achieved 5 or more Grade 9s – Freya Bridge, Grace Faulkner, Ben Harpur, Neve Howson, Bronwen MacLaren, Daniel Nixon, Maggie Patmore, Madeleine Payne, Stanley Pillay, Michelle Suna, Naomi Tearle and Morten Wynde.
Today represents the end of one phase of each student's education and is a terrific opportunity to recognise and celebrate what they have all achieved. We are delighted to be able to congratulate the Year 11 Class of 2022 for their fantastic results and also to wish them well as they move on to the next phase of their lives with our full support and our very best wishes for the future. For most, I am thrilled to say that this will be here at Guildford County Sixth Form and we cannot wait to welcome them and a large number of external recruits through the doors in September.
Please see below some headline data for your interest.
With my very best wishes to you all.
Steve Smith, Headteacher
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18th August 2022A Level Results 2022
Today we are celebrating the hard work and multiple successes of our Sixth Form students here at Guildford County School. Our sincere thanks go to the Sixth Form and Exams teams for making sure that the preparation for today and the results distribution morning itself ran so smoothly and also to the many other staff who attended earlier on to help with the delivery of results and to offer their congratulations and support to the students themselves. Alongside the whole of an incredible Sixth Form staff team, it is important that we also take some time today to thank Helen Nurton very sincerely for her exceptional leadership of our Sixth Form provision over the past 8 years. Alongside her leadership and that of Gerry Black working so closely with Year 13, we have today seen the best A Level results in the school’s history.
I am pleased that the studies and preparation for the culmination of Year 13 felt, this year, to be more as we recognise in schools. With the return of public examinations and the opportunities therefore afforded for the students to show their calibre against a national field, we are now in a strong position to reflect on what we are capable of here at County. I wish for us to celebrate the many achievements of each and every student leaving us today; over the course of the 7 years that they have been with us, each has ensured that they will have a lasting place in the history of our school.
There will doubtless this week be an ongoing discussion in the media about the value of A level grades, but we must not become embroiled in this at the school. Choosing instead to adopt the narrative of resilient learners, dedicating themselves to their studies under the leadership of exceptional colleagues from across the school – teachers, support staff and governors alike. Every single student has worked tirelessly over a great number of years and they are now able to move on to the next stage in their education with the sense of achievement and recognition that they all so richly deserve.
Before we look at the results of the cohort as a whole, I am delighted to be able to share with you some individual stories of success.
Two students, Ada Kirczenow and Joseph Hearn, secured places at Cambridge and Oxford University. Ada will study Natural Sciences at St Catharine’s and Joseph has decided to decline his offer from Oxford University and study Computer Science at Warwick University. We are tremendously proud of Rebecca Boddington and Jeanie Pryer. Both students have shown exceptional tenacity and dedication and secured places at Durham University to study Climate Science and Biological Science. A special mention goes to George Shepherd whose dedication to his EPQ was inspirational. We wish him all the best studying Bio Medical Science at Southampton University. Marina Warchus has done incredibly well to be accepted at Ravensbourne University, London to study digital Film Production – a highly competitive course and Emma Robertson has accepted a place to study Medicine at Cardiff University. We are also really excited for Josh Kennedy and Harry Mason who will start an apprenticeship for BAE and Georgina Pickering who has an apprentice as a veterinary nurse. We wish Tim Stewart all the very best when he starts at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire. At the time of writing, 88% of all of our departing students have secured places at Universities of their choice, including 32 offers from Russell Group Universities.
Today represents the end of one phase of each student's education and the opportunity to recognise and celebrate what they have achieved. We are delighted to be able to congratulate the Class of 2022 for their many achievements and also to wish them well as they move on to the next phase of their lives with our full support and our very best wishes for the future. I am hopeful that many will choose to become members of our ever growing alumni community and that we will then be able to continue to watch their successes over the years to come.
Please see below some headline data for your interest. You will be pleased to know that we have comfortably retained our Alps 2 progress grading, meaning that we remain in the top 10% of Alps Sixth Form providers nationally.
With my very best wishes to you all,
Steve Smith, Headteacher
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2nd December 2021Planning proposal for Urn Field rejected
Guildford County School and Tormead School are disappointed by Guildford Borough Council's decision on the 1st of December 2021, to reject the planning proposal to improve the existing sports facilities at the Urn Field sports ground.
The proposal, which had been recommended for approval by the planning department, would have afforded school children, through a partnership between the state and independent school sectors, access to a range of additional facilities and increased opportunities for playing sport, as well as community sports groups.
In a joint statement, Mr David Boyd, Head at Tormead School, and Mr Steve Smith, Head of Guildford County School, have said, "We remain committed to this project, believing in the positive sporting benefits that it will bring for our pupils, and we are actively considering our next steps, including the right of appeal, against the committee’s decisions."
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