There have again been some outstanding individual achievements at HCC, noticeably with Sabine Sharp achieving 10 A*s, with Steph Dumville (recently emigrated to new Zealand) and Sian Green gaining 10 A*/As combined. Paul Brooks achieved 9A*/As and Graham Glew, George Shepherd, Justine Ashton and Mia Worden a commendable 8. Nearly a fifth of pupils achieved the 3 A*/A league table measure.

Science results were affected by the long term absence of two members of staff, although fortunately many pupils had already passed the first of their two GCSE science exams in year 10.

Unfortunately for the 2009 cohort Design Technology results this year were also affected by the on-going building work throughout year11. This resulted in less time in workshops to complete coursework, for example. As in Science, this reduced overall achievement in this traditionally high achieving area to just above the national average, although results in Food Technology and Textiles remained remarkably high, unaffected by the building work.

It is hoped this disruption will be over by October half-term for the new year 10 and year 11. It is disappointing that exam boards will give no credit to candidates for either of the above factors affecting performance.

However, despite the disruption a fraction under 60 per cent of students gained at least five higher level passes amongst their range of qualifications and just under half achieved the national expectation of a higher level pass in GCSE English Language and Maths, where entries in each subject area were again slightly above the national average, although re-marks in each subject are expected to increase the gap.

Art candidates again achieved exceptional results, as did German candidates this year.

For full report and results, see this week's 'Holsworthy Post'.