It has been something of an uncertain week for Year 11 students across the country and today students at Old Swinford Hospital received their GCSE grades, some six months after lessons were suspended. They can now breathe a sigh of relief and move forwards to post-16 study.
Headmaster Paul Kilbride commented:
“Our current Year 11 pupils have received the GCSE grades which they deserve. This group of boys was particularly close knit and with a wonderful esprit de corps – and sense of humour. They will remember, on this day, their friend Tom Mole, who sadly passed away at Birmingham Children’s Hospital when the boys were in Year 9. He would have been alongside them today as they collected their results.
So the bond between the boys in this year group is especially strong. We have seen it on the rugby pitch, camping in grim conditions on DofE weekends, in numerous musical performances at OSH, as well as their intense competition through inter-house sport. We have seen them develop as leaders with particular maturity, across our boarding houses and through the Combined Cadet Force.
We think that they are a credit to themselves, to their families and to their school. Well done to them all.”
This year a number of pupils have shown particular strengths in clusters of subjects, and especially STEM subjects and the humanities. Of particular note were:
Top PE student and scientist Esah Rashid from Oldswinford, with straight 9s and an A grade in his additional Maths FSMQ.
Talented rugby players Tom Coleman from Hagley and Daniel Mcelhone from Norton, received eight grade 9s and one grade 8 and three grade 9s, four grade 8s and 2 grade 7s respectively. Both are well on their way to complete their Silver DofE at OSH.
1st team hockey player Owen Davis from Pedmore, with seven 9s and two 8s.
Talented scientist Philip Payne from Oldswinford, with five 9s and four 8s.
Budding businessman Zulqurnain Ahmed from Wollescote, with two 9s, six 8s and one 7.
Gifted pianist and swimming coach Ben Lewis from Kingswinford with three 9s, three 8s and three 7s.