Meridian High students GCSE results

Staff and students at Meridian High School are celebrating as this year’s GCSE results have been revealed.

Meridian High saw improved results in the key subjects of English and maths, despite the new, more challenging, syllabuses. Some 60% of students passed English and 43% passed maths, both improvements on last year’s results.

Head teacher Martin Giles said: “The improved results in English and maths give us confidence going forward that our students can do well under the new system, which focuses much more on exams and much less on coursework.”

He added: “English in particular was a very challenging exam so we are pleased that so many students were able to do so well.”

We are particularly proud of Head Boy Peter Okufuaa; he achieved a Grade 9 in English Language, putting him in the top 2% of students nationally – and As and A*s in every other subject – 10 GCSEs altogether.”

Tegan Finch (pictured)  was one of Meridian’s top performers, with two A*s, four As and three Bs. A tearful Tegan said: “I was expecting to do worse than this but I did put in a lot of work. I’m very happy; I will probably start crying again later!”
Tegan plans to go to sixth form college in Coulsdon to study for A levels in Maths, Biology and Chemistry, and hopes to make her career in some branch of human or veterinary medicine.

Manshika Arjoon gained three A*s, two As and six Bs – despite English not being her first language. She moved to England from Italy, where she grew up, only last year, but today she celebrated gaining Bs in English Language and English Literature, and an A in English as a Second Language. Multilingual Manshika also achieved an A* in French and Spanish and an A in Italian.

“I put everything into this and the results are better than I expected, especially getting an A* in maths,” says Manshika. “I’m really excited and happy.”

She added: “When I came here last year I couldn’t even speak English fluently but I am a quick learner and being in contact with English people all the time made it easier. The school have been really supportive, too.”

Manshika will be studying for A Levels in maths, Spanish, economics and psychology.

Chloe Richardson achieved four As, three Bs and one C. “It’s better than I hoped,” she said. “I really wanted As and I did a lot of revision, but didn’t want to get my hopes up so I kept saying I just wanted Bs. To walk out today with four As is just brilliant; I’m really happy.”

Chloe plans to go to sixth form college in Shirley to study history, economics and politics at A Level.