Celebrations for BRGS pupils after exceptional GCSE results

Pupils at Bacup and Rawtenstall Grammar School (BRGS) are celebrating exceptional GCSE outcomes after results returned to pre-pandemic grading standards.

Despite the disruption to learning over the past few years, exams were marked and graded in the normal way this summer, as they would have been before the pandemic. This means that the lenient marking and grading from last summer has been removed and exam results nationally have fallen to pre-pandemic levels, when teaching and exams took place under normal conditions.

98.3% of students achieved grades 9-5 in English and Maths. Students performed exceptionally well in the English Baccalaureate subjects. The average grade in the English Baccalaureate subjects is 7.0 at BRGS with the national average expected to be 4.3.

School staff and parents have today been celebrating with pupils at the school as they progress onto the next stage of their education or training.

Two high achieving students, Alishbah Warraich and Taha Nadeem, were awarded the top grade 9 in every subject they studied. Alishbah will continue her studies in the Sixth Form at BRGS where she plans to complete A levels in Biology, Chemistry, Spanish and German. Alishbah reflected on her exceptional results: “I am so happy! I feel very blessed to have had the love of my family and friends, and the invaluable support of all my teachers this year.”

Taha Nadeem, who also achieved the top grade 9 in every subject, now plans to study A levels in Biology, Chemistry and Maths. Delighted with her results, Taha commented: “These have been such difficult and disruptive few years. It is really humbling to get through it and achieve such fantastic grades.”

Another of the school’s high achievers is Megan Perry who was awarded nine grade 9s and one grade 7. Megan, who felt a huge sense of relief and pride, said: “I’m really proud that all my hard work over the past five years has paid off. Congratulations everybody!”

Mr Johnstone, Principal at Bacup and Rawtenstall Grammar School, commented, “Our students have again done themselves and our school proud. These outcomes come after the disruption over recent years and it is a pleasure to see the students get the recognition they deserve after five years of hard work. I should also like to recognise the dedication and commitment of our teachers and support staff in preparing students for their exams. We wish our students the very best for their next steps and these successes should enable them to approach their next stage of education with real confidence and self-belief.”

There are around 350 students in the BRGS Sixth Form studying a wide range of academic courses. The school is still accepting Sixth Form applications for September 2023. Anyone interested in joining the Sixth Form is advised to contact the school between 9am – 4pm on Thursday 24th and Friday 25th August for advice and enrolment information.

The school’s outstanding results come ahead of BRGS joining Star Academies on 1 September 2023. Star Academies is one of the country's highest performing multi-academy trusts with a track record of supporting pupils to secure exceptional outcomes. BRGS, which will be the 33rd school in the Star family, will retain its grammar school status and sixth form provision when it joins Star.