GCSE Results 2022 Penrice Recognised as Top-Performing Cornish State Secondary School for Progress 8 and Attainment 8 National 2022 GCSE data published by the Department for Education has identified Penrice Academy as Cornwall’s top-performing state secondary school for key metrics. Penrice featured at the top of the tables against 30 other Cornish secondary schools with a Progress 8 score of 0.59 and an Attainment 8 Score of 56.9.* * All data provided in this article is provisional GCSE results (before re-marks). Data is likely to change slightly once re-marks have been processed later in the year. What are Progress 8 and Attainment 8? Progress 8 examines a school’s value-added. It indicates how much a secondary school has helped pupils improve (or progress) over a five-year period when compared to a government-calculated expected level of improvement. Attainment 8 is calculated by adding together pupils’ highest scores across eight government-approved school subjects which include English, Maths and Science. Views from the Headteacher Ms Lucy Gambier Headteacher of Penrice Academy “These students have shown remarkable resilience, positivity and commitment over the past five years and are leaving with excellent grades and many positive memories. We are hugely proud of every one of our students for their hard work and truly remarkable results. We must pay tribute to all the staff at Penrice who have worked relentlessly to support the year group, ensuring that all students achieve their very best results. We must also extend a huge thank you to our parents, carers and wider community who have supported the school and the year groups through all the challenges of recent years. I must say a massive thank you to all parents and carers for working with the school to help every child succeed. From punctuality to uniform and everything in between, pupils understand the expectations of being a Penrice learner and that wouldn’t be possible without your help. It is your support, and the hard work of our teachers, support staff and governors that make Penrice a truly outstanding school.” Bucking the National Trend This year, national GCSE results were calculated to bring grades back towards 2019 levels, resulting in a national drop from 77% Grade 4s in 2021 to 73% Grade 4s in 2022. However, at Penrice, in both English and Maths, outcomes were higher than in 2021. 83% of Penrice students successfully achieved a standard pass of Grade 4 or higher in both English and Maths GCSE. In Science, 92% of students gained at least a standard Pass (Grade 4) in GCSE Science, with 72% gaining 7+ in Physics. Other key subject highlights were found in History and Drama. In History, 44% of Penrice students achieved Grade 7 and above, with 10% achieving the top Grade 9. In BTEC Drama, 80% of Penrice students achieved a Merit or above, with 50% achieving Distinction or Distinction Star. Character Development also Crucial for Success Looking beyond the data, Ms Gambier commented: “Whilst we are absolutely delighted with the latest DfE data, it does only tell part of the story. We have not lost sight of our mission to nurture children into well-rounded young adults. Amongst many things, our Character Development Days, our extensive extra-curricular programme (Penrice Plus), and our annual Curriculum Enrichment Week play a huge role in developing the whole child. Arguably, an even bigger success for our Class of 2022 was that they left Penrice as empathetic, resilient and respectful young adults who will no doubt make a positive impact on the world and the lives of those around them.” Mrs Razzell, Head of Year 11, was immensely proud of her entire year group… Mrs Clare Razzell Head of Year 11 (2021-22 Academic Year) “The results students have received today will allow them to be successful in the next steps in their education, whether that be A Levels, T-Levels, Apprenticeships or Level 3 qualifications. We hope that students also take with them many happy memories from their time at Penrice, both in school and out, trips, visits and events, work experience and, of course, the exceptional 2022 Penrice Prom! I must add a special mention to Gracie and Ellie who have overcome enormous personal challenges over the last 5 years and still finish with grades they should be very pleased with.” Key Performance Data* Progress 8 score = 0.62 Attainment 8 score = 57.02 % of pupils achieving a grade 5 or above in GCSE English and maths = 63.7% % of pupils entering the English Baccalaureate (EBacc) = 45.1% *Updated data as of 20th October 2022 following remarks. Student Spotlights Emily – Deputy Head Girl “Opening my results was very exciting, I was very pleased. I’m pleased I got all 9s in the subjects I am going on to study next year. It’s really made me feel that I’ve made the right choice in going to study Biology, Chemistry and Geography at CSMS in September. Being Deputy Head Girl has definitely helped me to boost my confidence. It was great to see the effect I had on the younger year groups, being a positive influence to them and acting as a role model that I would’ve looked up to when I was in Year 7. I’d like to say a special thank you to my Maths and Science teachers. They always encouraged me to do my best.” Corben – 9s in Key Future Subjects Corben is delighted to have secured his place at Callywith next to study Biology, Chemistry, Maths and Further Maths as A-Levels. He said: “I was very excited and very happy when I opened my envelope. I’m particularly delighted with my Biology, Chemistry and Maths results where I got 9s in all of them. Period 0 [early morning study] and the Exam Success Sessions have been extremely useful. Period 0 was particularly helpful because it got you ready for the start of the day and I studied the subject I was least confident in. These extra hours really helped.” Will – “Yes! I’ve done it!” We are super proud of Will who has shown true resilience and determination during his time at Penrice in order to get the grades he needs. I was not expecting my results – in a good way! I am so proud of myself for getting a 6 in English, and also a 6 in History – that’s my highest grade ever in the subject. However, my biggest achievement is passing Maths for the first time ever. I wasn’t getting a high enough grade in my Pre-Public Examinations [Mock GCSEs] for Maths, so when I saw my final result today I thought “Yes! I’ve done it!”” Gracie – “I had to check they were actually my results…” I would have been happy with 5s across the board but I did so much better – I had to check they were actually my results as I didn’t believe it! It’s going to take a while to settle in! I’m particularly pleased with my English Literature and Language where I got 7s for both. I considered this to be one of my most challenging subjects – I got 5s in my PPEs [mock exams], so I am delighted to score so highly. A lot of teachers have helped me to progress, I wouldn’t have been able to do it without them. The afterschool revision areas have also been great as I admit that I can get easily distracted at home! Year 11 has been my best year at Penrice, I’ve really enjoyed it. Gracie next heads to Callywith College to study A-Levels in Environmental Science, Psychology and Media Studies. What’s next for Penrice Academy? Moving forward into the new academic year, the academy is not resting on its laurels. November will see the first lesson of the school’s new Mandarin Excellence Programme (MEP) take place. Penrice is the first and only school in Cornwall to join the Department for Education’s flagship MEP – an intensive curriculum offering in which settings must be rated Ofsted ‘Outstanding’ with strong performance in Modern Foreign Languages to be eligible to deliver. The Mandarin Excellence Programme (MEP) is a key part of our mission to continue striving for excellence, helping every student reach their full potential. Where next? Ofsted Inspection Report Read more Prospectus Read more Enrichment Opportunities Read more