Year 11 students at The Kings of Wessex Academy in Cheddar are again celebrating superb exam results. This year saw the introduction of new, tougher GCSE exams in many subject areas and Kings students have risen to the challenge.

The core subjects of Mathematics, English and Science were among the many success stories. In Mathematics 86% of students achieved grades 9-4 (equivalent to the old grades A*-C). 81% of students achieved 9-4 grades in English Literature with 80% achieving this in English Language. Additionally, 78% of students secured grades 9-4 in at least two Science GCSEs.

An impressive 76% of students achieved a grade 9-4 in both English and in Mathematics whilst 52% of students achieved the "strong pass" in both English and Mathematics (a grade 5 or higher in both subjects). Very encouragingly, Kings had another strong result with the new Progress 8 measure (value added). Progress 8 measures the progress students make from Year 6 to Year 11. In 2017, Kings had one of the highest Progress 8 scores in the region and indications suggest that the 2018 figure is likely to be similar (+0.48). This represents Kings students making, on average, almost half a grade more than expected progress across all subject areas.

Kings offers a broad curriculum with students following a wide range of GCSE and vocational courses. BTEC courses performed particularly well at Kings with BTEC Business Studies and Performing Arts having the best value added scores of all courses at the academy. Another success story was the Humanities subjects with 75% of Geography students, 76% of RE students and 68% of History students achieving grades 9-4.

Executive Headteacher, Gavin Ball, was delighted with these exam results. He commented "In a year where Kings students have shone in public speaking, sports, charity fundraising and the expressive arts, we are very proud that they have also excelled in their academic achievements. These results reflect the fantastic dedication of our students and staff. I would like to thank our community for their support. We have a dynamic school of which we can all be very proud. We have amazing students at Kings and my congratulations go out to them all."

We are proud of each and every one of our students. There were excellent achievements from individual students across the entire grade range. Amongst these there were some exceptional performances. Anna Wadey achieved an incredible seven grade 9s (seven 9s, one 8, one 7, two 6s, an A* and an A). Matthew Bulman achieved an outstanding eleven GCSEs at grade 8+ or equivalent (one 9, eight 8s, one 5, two A*s and an A). Four students achieved an amazing ten 8+ grades or equivalent. These were: Lizzie Arnold (five 9s, four 8s, two 7s, one 6 and an A*), Alex Cullum (six 9s, three 8s, two 7s, one A* and an A), Sophie Frankpitt (six 9s, three 8s, two 7s and a distinction*) and Alice Stephens (four 9s, five 8s, one 7, one 5, one A* and an A). Students achieving a remarkable nine grades 8+ or equivalent were Bonnie Brown (five 9s, two 8s, three 7s, one A*, one A and a distinction*) and Lucy Caulfield (five 9s, four 8s, two 7s, one A and a B). We are also extremely proud of some students who attained fantastic grades despite significant adversity.

The majority of students will go on to study in Kings Sixth Form where a wide range of A Level and Vocational courses are offered.