GCSE results 2022: Dacorum schools celebrate as students collect their exam results

Students across Dacorum are picking up their GCSE results today (Thursday, August 25).

Nationally, the pass rate has fallen since the pandemic high in 2021 – when grades were decided via teacher assessment – but it’s significantly higher than the last time students were able to sit exams in 2019.

Just over three-quarters (75.3%) of GCSE grades for 16-year-olds in England are at grade 4 or above, up from 69.9% in 2019 when formal exams last took place and down from 79.1% in 2021.

This article will be updated as schools release their results.

Here’s how Dacorum schools did:

Ashlyns School:

Students from Ashlyns School, Berkhamsted, were celebrating “excellent” GCSE results this morning following the return to the first formal GCSE examinations since the pandemic began.

As he welcomed students collecting their grades, Headteacher James Shapland said: “Today is a day of huge celebration for our GCSE students, who have achieved some amazing results against a national backdrop of turbulence and uncertainty. When you consider the significant educational disruption young people have navigated throughout the pandemic, it is testament to their character and hard work that they are celebrating such impressive achievements today.

"Their determination and trust in their teachers have helped them steer a course through the challenges and their smiles today have been hard won and very much deserved.

“I would like to thank them and the staff, parents and governors who continue to work together and share the same ambitions to ensure the whole school community is one of which we can all be proud.

“I look forward to welcoming our Year 11s to our highly successful Sixth-Form in September, to continue their studies and wish those moving onto other educational opportunities the very best for the future.”

The Astley Cooper School:

Astley Cooper School’s students celebrated their successful A-level and GCSE results at the school this week.

Headteacher Sam Orsborne said: "Congratulations to our Sixth Form students, many of whom will heading off to continue their studies at university. It is always such an emotional day for our students, their families and teachers. This has been a lovely

year group and while we are sorry to see them leave, we are pleased that so many of them have begun the next stage of their lives in such a positive way.

“Our GCSE students were pleased with their results and more than ever before will continue their studies at Sixth Form or join our Pre Apprenticeship Programme. We look forward to welcoming them back in September and wish those who are continuing their education at college all the very best.

“Finally, we remind our students that they are more than a grade. The resilience they have shown under such conditions is remarkable. They are all exceptional, inspiring, and talented young people and we couldn’t be prouder of you.

Berkhamsted School:

Berkhamsted School is celebrating the success of its Year 11 who have exceeded expectation and achieved 52.8% at grade 8 or 9 and 75% at grades 7 to 9.

These grades are significantly better than when pupils last sat public exams and only marginally lower than when teacher assessed grades were awarded.

“There is a lot to be happy about today,” claimed Headteacher of Berkhamsted Boys, Mr Tom Hadcroft. “Our pupils have aimed high and achieved a record-breaking set of results. They have used the skills of resilience, determination, and perseverance to realize their dreams.”

Ms Watson, Headteacher of Berkhamsted Girls said: “Through hard work and collaboration with teachers and peers, our students have achieved an outstanding set of results. They now have a wonderful opportunity ahead of them, as they move to the Sixth Form, where they

will continue to grow and develop into remarkable young adults. We couldn’t be prouder of this year group of Berkhamstedians and all they have achieved.”

In addition to the record results, many of our highest academic performers are also involved playing each weekend in the school’s top teams for rugby, lacrosse, netball, football and cricket.

In 2020, this cohort of girls were national champions in netball.

Many also took to the stage where they joined a cast of Year 7-13 to perform SHREK the Musical, ventured outdoors where they were once again able to safely undertake DofE expeditions and participated within the local community, where they hosted the annual Senior Citizens Tea Party at the end of the summer.

The Hemel Hempstead School:

The Hemel Hempstead School is celebrating a "fantastic” set of GCSE results for the class of 2022 – and will be welcoming a record number of students back to its Sixth Form.

The students faced disruption right from the start of their GCSE studies, initially in lockdown and then online and then on site but with restrictions such as social distancing, face coverings, social bubbles and no trips or visits.

Today 180 of them opened their results and the schools says they are are celebrating fantastic grades they have truly deserved after five years of resilience, hard work, determination and focussed study at secondary school.

Neil Hassell, headteacher, said: “We are all so pleased for this wonderful group of young people - they are so much more than just grades printed on a sheet of paper. They have made us incredibly proud this summer as we have watched them go into their examinations with determination and pride in who they are and what they can achieve.

"We are incredibly excited to be welcoming record numbers of the back into our Sixth Form next week.”

Tring School:

Tring School says it is delighted to announce an excellent set of GCSE results with outstanding performances in English and maths plus many other subjects.

Commenting on the results, Head of School Sally Ambrose said: “Following what has been an incredibly difficult and challenging two years for everyone, we are thrilled for our GCSE students who have achieved an excellent set of results.

“These results will support them with their next challenge, whether that is to join our outstanding Sixth Form, start an apprenticeship scheme, enter the workplace or continue their education elsewhere”.

She added: Everyone associated with Tring School can be incredibly proud of these results and I’d like to express our appreciation to the students, staff, parents, governors and trustees”.

Tring Park School for the Performing Arts:

Tring Park School for the Performing Arts is celebrating another successful year with the announcement of this year’s “impressive” GCSE exam results.

Overall, 92% of entries achieved grades 9-4, and 99% A*-C. Additionally, 46% of the school’s entries achieved grades 9-7, and 62% attained grades A* to A, compared to a national average of 27% grade 7/A and above.

Many subject areas achieved a 100% pass rate, including English literature, biology, chemistry, physics, art and design, dance, drama, ICT and music.

Principal Stefan Anderson said: “We are incredibly proud of all of our GCSE students who have, yet again, achieved such wonderful grades in their GCSEs this year. We are particularly delighted by their outstanding effort and dedication, not only in the commitment to these exams, but also to the time, energy and resilience required across the students’ dual curriculum, which includes significant vocational commitments.”

Amongst the school’s top achievers were Benjamin Edwards who achieved seven grade 9s and two A*s; Annabelle Westenholz-Smith who attained six grade 9s, two A*s and a 7; and Darcy-Summer Hannan who achieved five grade 9s, four 8s, and two A*s.

Mr Anderson added: “As an academically non-selective school, we are equally proud of the many students who exceeded their Minimum Target Grades. Special mention must also go to Year 10 student Yoyo Wilson who studied A-level Chinese in one year, on top of the standard curriculum, and attained an A grade.

“A significant number of students will be staying on to study for up to three A-levels at our Sixth Form, whilst continuing to develop their vocational talents through specialist training in the performing arts.”