Staff and students at St Joseph’s School in Launceston were delighted with this year’s GCSE results — results that were the first to be based on national examinations since the summer of 2019, before the pandemic that has so affected every single pupil in the country.

Pupils achieved very well indeed, with the school achieving an outstanding 34% of grades at 7 or above against a national average of 27% – a superb achievement, and testament to the hard work of pupils and staff throughout two years of unprecedented disruption to children’s education globally.

Headteacher Mr Oliver Scott said “It is very difficult indeed for anyone outside of education to fully grasp the impact of the pandemic on the children who are receiving their results today.

“For each one of them, their single greatest achievement is making it to the end of Year 11 as the young people who leave school today ready to rise to the challenges of the next stage of their education, and it has been a privilege to work with them through the immense challenges they have faced. We should never forget that as they gain their results as Year 11 pupils, the last year they were unaffected by the pandemic was when they were in Year 8.

“There has been much talk about last year being ‘normal’ given that there was no national lockdown or school closure. For these children, it was anything but normal: they endured pupil and staff absences, swabbing and testing and huge local, national and global uncertainty through this crucial year of their education, on top of the previous two years when they missed the best part of two terms of face-to-face education. Following this, they have worked incredibly hard with the expert support of our staff, and returned to the examination rooms, where they have done themselves, and the school, very proud indeed.

“There is no doubting that the pupils we have here at St Joseph’s are fortunate to be able to study at a school such as ours, but it is down to individuals to make the most of the opportunities that are provided. There is no doubting that this has been the cases for the class of 2022, regardless of their ability level.

“We are a school that sets no entrance exam, and while we are very pleased with the results the children have achieved, our focus will always be on the individual child and working with them, whatever their ability, in order to ensure they achieve all that they can.

“Academic success is just one part of what makes St Jo’s such a special place to live and to learn. For these children, everyone at school wishes them well, and we couldn’t be prouder of their many achievements.”

Many of the children who gained their results have been at St Joseph’s since the Junior school, with some even being here since their first days at school.

“Very well done to every young person for their achievements throughout their time at school and for their GCSEs.