AT a time of some turbulence following a damning Ofsted report that rated Gable Hall School as 'inadequate' school staff have welcomed a set of GCSE results, released today (Thursday, 25 August) that is desccribed as 'incredible'.

Year 11 students at Gable Hall School, which is run the Ortu Federation which has been under pressure from parents to make changes after the Ofstead rating and subsequent resignation of popular headteacher Ceri Evans, got their results today with top-rated performers in subjects including physics, maths and chemistry.

Describing the rsults as 'incredible', a statement from the school says: "Despite the challenges of the past two years, and the effects of the pandemic, it is evident from the smiles all round that students are very pleased with how things have panned out.

"Teachers and senior leaders are pleased with the number of students whose results give them guaranteed pathways to the Sixth Form or Apprenticeships. The vast majority of students have secured their places in the Ortu Sixth Form centre, which is a good provision offering more than 32 subjects.

"This year at Ortu Gable Hall School, 70% of students achieved a Grade 4 or better in English and Maths combined. 81% achieved a Grade 4 or better in English (with 63% achieving a Grade 5 or better). In Maths, 74% of pupils achieved a Grade 4 or better (with 53% achieving a Grade 5 or better). This shows an improvement on previous outcomes by over 10% on all measures.  

"The best performing subjects this year were physics 77%, chemistry 74%, sport 78%, French 62%, music 82%, statistics 87% and dance 76%, achieving a Grade 5 or better."

Among the top performers was Millie Tredgett, 16, from Stanford-le-Hope achieved eight grade 9s and said: "I want to go over to the Ortu Sixth form and I have to say, all of the teachers were my favourite, that's why I'm going over to the sixth form. It was a lot when Covid hit, studying at home was difficult, and coming back was a bit of a shock to the system, but the teachers are great, and I'm so pleased with these results.

Millie Tredgett and Lewis Cox.

Lewis Cox, 16, also from Stanford-le-Hope who achieved nine grade 9s, three grade 8s and three grade 7s will also be staying on to study at the sixth form centre, saying: "I'm going to to study, maths, physics and further maths. I want to thank my biology teacher, Mr Hellis-Tatum and my chemistry teacher Dr Oguledo. They were brilliant.

Mia Ward from Grays achieved three grade 9s, four grade 8s and a grade 7 said: "I think I did pretty good and I want to study A-levels at the Ortu Sixth Form, biology, chemistry, English literature and language. Ten years from now, I hope to be working in medicine. "

Interim Gable Hall principal Gary Lewis said: "We are extremely proud of the hard work and effort which our Year 11s have put in to achieve the GCSE grades that they deserve. I would like to thank our brilliant staff for supporting their classes throughout the year. Even though the past few years have been extremely difficult, it is truly a pleasure to have watched our students grow and mature at Gable Hall.

"I am proud that more than half of them have decided to stay with us at our Ortu Sixth Form Centre for their A-Level and vocational studies. We wish all our pupils the best of luck and congratulations to everybody."