STUDENTS AT DUNOTTAR SCHOOL MAKE GREAT LEAP FORWARD TO CELEBRATE GCSE SUCCESS
23rd August 18
Students at Dunottar School have today received their GCSE results with 96% of students achieving five or more 9-4/A*-C grades including English and Maths.
Amongst the highest performers were:
- South of England Long Jump Champion, Olivia, who was awarded six of the new top grade 9s;
- Twins Rosie and Harry, who have battled debilitating Ehlers Danlos Syndrome and gained 20 GCSEs between them;
- Sharika, who gained six grade 9s and 8s, the equivalent of A stars. She gained full marks in a religious studies exam paper.
Staff, pupils and parents at the school credit its unique focus on academic and pastoral support for its success, with each Year 11 pupil choosing their own teacher-mentor, who works alongside them as they prepare for their external exams.
Receiving her results, Olivia said: “I was shocked—I wasn’t expecting my results to be like this. I joined Dunottar in Year 11, and the teachers helped make sure that everything was smooth sailing. They put a lot of effort into helping me get the grades I want.”
“The school was fine with helping me take time off when I needed it,” Rosie said, “and the teachers listened to me so they could help me. I’m really pleased with these results.”
Harry added: “It was a struggle to manage revision and rest when I was revising all day. I did better than I thought I would.”
Sharika, who joined Dunottar in Year 11, said: “In my other school, I was doing different exam boards, so I had a lot of new content to catch up on. All my teachers across my subjects were so supportive. They motivated me and pushed me to achieve my potential.”
Mark Tottman, Headmaster of Dunottar School, said: “I am very pleased for our pupils who are celebrating today. Across the board there have been some excellent results and it is particularly gratifying to see the success of our pupils who have either overcome significant challenges such as Rosie and Harry or, like Olivia, have combined their studies with competing at the highest level.
“Families that choose Dunottar do so because they appreciate the pastoral care our pupils receive and the personalised guidance and support that encourages academic success. No-one gets left behind here and we are proud of every single pupil’s achievements.
“We are fortunate at Dunottar to have a thriving Sixth Form which will move into a brand new building next year. The majority of our pupils who are celebrating today will be joining it and they will continue to enjoy being part of the Dunottar family as our success and reputation grow.”
