Herefordshire students continue a strong performance in GCSE grades

Herefordshire Council would like to congratulate all of our young people who received their GCSE results today.

68.5% of Herefordshire young people achieved a grade 4 or above in all subjects and despite the fall in grades nationally. Several Herefordshire schools have reported higher results than last year and performance in the English Baccalaureate (EBacc) was particularly positive. Performance in Science was also really strong with Herefordshire outperforming pupils across England in Physics, Biology and Chemistry.

Since 2020 all GCSE’s have been graded on a numerical scale from 9 to 1, with grade 4 considered as a standard pass and grade 5 a strong pass. This replaced the old alphabetical grading system which saw grades ranging from A* to G.

Councillor Ivan Powell, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, said:

“These are great results from our GCSE students and follow on from the success of the A level students last week.

“The disruption caused by the pandemic resulted in a difficult few years for our young people, but today’s results are a reflection of the dedication and resilience of our students and the excellent support provided by schools across the county. Congratulations to all involved, our hardworking students, and to their teachers, school staff and the parents and carers.

“I wish our young people the best of luck and every success in their next steps in life and in whatever choices they make for the future, whether it is in further education, apprenticeships, training or employment.”


Useful GCSE results day tips

The BBC Bitesize webpage has lots of useful tips to help students get through GCSE results day.

The Education Hub from the Department for Education contains helpful advice for potential next steps for students and has useful blogs for GCSE results day.

The National Careers Service offers help with exam results for both post 16 and post 18 options alongside wider careers advice, information and resources. Careers advisers are also available for students to talk to over the phone or by webchat. 

The Skills for Careers – Young People hub collates information on all post 16 and post 18 education and training choices alongside advice to guide their decisions. Students can speak directly to careers advisers or access mental health support.
 

Do you need support with your mental health following your GCSE results?

Visit the YoungMinds website or visit their exam stress support page.  

If you are a young person and you’re struggling to cope, Shout can provide free 24/7 text support. For help, text SHOUT to 85258.

Visit the Childline website or call them for free on 0800 1111 available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week or visit their exam results support page.       

Mind offer a mental health Infoline, call 0300 123 3393 between 9am – 6pm, Monday – Friday (except for bank holidays).

More information about local and national mental health and wellbeing support is also available on the Talk Community Directory www.talkcommunitydirectory.org/mentalhealth

If you need urgent support with your mental wellbeing NHS 111 online can advise you on what to do next. Alternatively, this urgent help and support webpage provides details on how to contact the most appropriate service for your healthcare need.

Students can also call their GP surgery and ask for an emergency appointment or call NHS 111.
 

Published: 22nd August 2024