GCSE results day at The Beacon

Students at The Beacon in Banstead are celebrating the best ever GCSE results.

Some 73 per cent of students gained their English and maths, the first time the school has gone over the 70 per cent mark. Records have also been set with a number of subjects doubling their top grades compared to 2019.

One high achiever was Chloe Phillips, who attained 9s in science, maths, geography, French and history, alongside 8s in drama, English literature and language, and a G7 in further maths.

“I’m really happy, and also very shocked. I’d seen all the stories in the media about lower grades, so I was worried my grades might not be as good as I’d hoped," she said.

“It was obviously harder for our year, as we were in and out of school a lot with lockdowns, but the school was very good. The teachers sent us lots of information and helped us with anything we’d missed.

“I’m hoping to study French, maths and physics A Levels at Wallington Girls, then I’m looking at doing law or engineering at university.”

Fellow student Elsie Wright was also celebrating success, with four grade 9s, four 8s, and two 7s.

“I was really excited to get the grades, and to find I’d done as well as I’d hoped,” she said. “I found the school very helpful. They did everything they could to help us in Year 11, and through the lockdowns, and all the teachers were really encouraging.

“I’m going to Reigate College to study English literature, biology and dance. I’m not sure what I’ll do after that yet, although I definitely want to go to university.”

Headteacher Keith Batchelor said: “I am so delighted for our students and families that we have achieved these record results. 

"They come after five years of hard work and especially the commitment of the school throughout the exceptional challenges of the pandemic. 

"Our staff have gone above and beyond over this time and we are all so proud of the outcome of this effort.”