Ipswich students celebrate fruits of hard work with GCSEs

Students across Ipswich collected their GCSE results on Thursday after two years of work and exams.

At Stoke High School, students were in high spirits as they collected their results, including Olayemi Olufemi-Bada who is hoping to be a doctor and was thrilled with achieving grade 9 in maths and grades 9 in combined science.

Ana Maria Balan received grades 8 in English, French and art, while friends Bayley Oakes and Shannon Vidler received a number of grade 8’s between them.

Ana Maria Balan (Image: Stoke High School)

Shannon Vidler with her results (Image: Stoke High School)

Karen Baldwin, principal at Stoke High School, said: “We are pleased to see that students have worked hard, and this has allowed them to reach their full potential and receive grades that will open up doors for their future courses, study and employment opportunities in the future.”

At Kesgrave High School, 74% of students achieved grade 4 or above in maths and English and 24% of all grades were between grade 9 and 7.

Amongst the highest performers at the school, Katie Christison and Milo Hunt both achieved 11 grade 9’s, with Louis Hood and Daniel Ringland achieving nine grade 9’s, one grade 8 and one 7.

Kesgrave High School students with their results (Image: Kesgrave High School)

Kesgrave High School student collected their results (Image: Kesgrave High School)

Julia Upton, headteacher, said: “It is a privilege to see these young people grow from Year 7 to Year 11 and today’s results are just one part of what they have accomplished in their time at Kesgrave High School.”

Students at Royal Hospital School in Holbrook near Ipswich achieved the highest ever GCSE results in the school’s history.

97.1% of grades were at 9-4 while 159 grade 9’s were awarded to pupils.

Nanayaa Zuta and Ava Burton (Image: Royal Hospital School)

Royal Hospital School Year 11 group photo (Image: Royal Hospital School)

Nanayaa Zuta and Avad Burton were amongst the highest achievers, receiving nine grade 9s and one grade 8 each.

Irfan Latif, headmaster, said: “I am absolutely delighted for our 2024 GCSE cohort and proud to be celebrating two record-breaking sets of results this summer alongside the whole RHS community.”

Holbrook Academy shared their "pride" in the performances of the 2024 cohort.

Innes with her results (Image: Holbrook Academy)

Nelly (left) and Verity (right) (Image: Holbrook Academy)

Mr Anstee-Parry, headteacher, said: "After a period of change we were determined to make an immediate difference for our students; we are incredibly proud of their achievements.

"Their hard work, resilience, and commitment to their studies have shone through.”

Ipswich School also achieved their "best-ever GCSE exam results" with almost two-thirds of all exams being graded at 7, 8 or 9.

Students at Ipswich School collected their results (Image: Warren Page)

22% of exams at grade 9, 42% at grades 9 or 8 and 67% were at 9-7. 100% of pupils achieved at least five GCSEs at grade 4 or above.

Andrew Bradshaw, head of middle school, said: "Their energy, creativity, ambition and passion have enriched our community here for five years in the Senior School, and their results are so richly deserved."

Students at St Joseph's College have "significantly exceeded" national averages in both English and mathematics.

Henry gets a hug from Mrs Sally Hosking-Burtle, Head of English at St Jo's (Image: St Joseph's College)

Star performer Bonnie celebrates with her family (Image: St Joseph's College)

81% of students got a grade 4 and above in English, 87% in maths and 82% across all subjects.

92% of this cohort secured grades 7 to 9, with three taking the top grade.

Ipswich High School announced "exceptional" GCSE results with the number of pupils gaining top grades rising.

Ipswich High School students getting their results (Image: Anthony Cullen)

One in five grades was a 9 or 8 and one in three grades a 9 to 7.

Among those that achieved high grades, Eniko achieved six grade 9s, three grade 8s and one grade 7 and Mack, who achieved seven grade 9s, two grade 8s and two grade 7s.

MORE: Ipswich 73-year-old great grandfather gains English GCSE

At Suffolk New College 216 learners gained a grade 4 or above in English at College campuses, 51 more people than in 2023.

Danny Davey from Ipswich with his certificate showing he got a grade 6 in English at the age of 73 (Image: Suffolk New College)

123 people gained a grade 4 or above in maths, 23 more people than last year.

Marianne Flack, deputy principal of Suffolk New College, said: "We would like to congratulate everyone for all their hard work and – and we look forward to helping new and current students achieve great things with us in the coming weeks, months and years."

Tim Rafiu and Sam Ablett (Image: Chantry Academy)

Nicole Ali and Arwen Hills (Image: Chantry Academy)

Chantry Academy also celebrated an excellent set of results, with notable achievers being Nicole Ali, Alessia Mirea, Harry Whitman and Tim Rafiu.

Craig D'Cunha, Executive Headteacher at Chantry Academy, said: “I am thrilled to see our students achieve such impressive results in their GCSEs this year."

Harry Whitman (Image: Chantry Academy)