GCSEs: Two Luton academies celebrate strong results

Students at two Luton academies are celebrating improved GCSE grades, which staff say they’ve managed to achieve despite COVID-19 restrictions and ongoing uncertainty from the Government about how their grades would actually be worked out.

Due to the coronavirus pandemic students did not sit their GCSE exams this summer, their GCSE grades will be given by their schools, after a flawed algorithm was scrapped in a series of u-turns by the Government.

Overall, both The Stockwood Park and Chalk Hills Academies have seen a significant improvement in the number of pupils achieving a grade 5 or better in English and maths.

The Stockwood Park and Chalk Hills Academies are part of The Shared Learning Trust, a family of schools in Luton and Central Bedfordshire.

Louise Lee, executive principal of The Shared Learning Trust’s secondary schools, said: “I am proud of the hard-work, dedication and resilience of our students, and the results they’ve achieved despite numerous government U-turns.

"Staff have worked extremely hard to ensure a fair and robust process was put in place.

"Today we celebrate our young people’s achievements, and we will be on hand to support and guide them through the next stage of their education and training.”

Mumin Humayun, head of school at The Stockwood Park Academy, said: “In what has been an unpredictable and unprecedented year, I am delighted with the performance of our young people.

"They have worked so hard, and this has been reflected in the progress they have made and the grades they have achieved.

"I would like to thank all the staff, as well as the students, for this fantastic team effort.

"We will be welcoming many of our students back into the sixth form, and I wish all of our young people the very best for their continuing education."

Clare Chambers, head of school at The Chalk Hills Academy, said: “I am exceptionally proud of our students and staff – they have all shown such dedication and commitment during what has been a challenging year for all.

"We wish our students all the best for the future and look forward to welcoming back those who will be going on to attend our sixth form in the new academic year”.