DUBAI // Weeks of revising and anxiously waiting came to an end on Thursday as students received their General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) results.
Erika Okada, 16, from Japan, scored six A-stars (A*) in history, geography, maths, science, Japanese and music. The Dubai British School pupil also had As in business and economics, French, additional science, English literature and English language.
“I was trying my best not to think about results day but it’s more a case of relief that I did so well,” she said. “I did a lot of revision and was in the library pretty much on a daily basis trying to prepare. I think I went through a period of going into school for 13 days straight.”
She is planning to stay on at Dubai British School in The Springs for A-levels in economics, maths, further maths and geography. “I really enjoy economics and my aim is to do that at university,” she said.
Ben Bristow, 16, from the UK, was among the highest achievers after receiving nine A* in maths, history, music, French, ICT, English language and science, additional science and further science as well as an A in English literature.
“I’m really pleased with the results and so happy,” he said. “I worked really had for these grades and I’m so happy that it has paid off in the end.” He is now determined to enjoy the period before school restarts in a couple of weeks.
Overall, it was an exceptional performance for the 67 pupils who took GCSEs at the school, which outperformed UK national averages.
“The full set of results is the best in the school’s history, with 97 per cent of our students achieving at least 5 A* to C grades (including maths and English), against historical UK national averages of 71 per cent,” said outgoing secondary school head Tanya Drew.
Thirty-one per cent of students achieved at least five A* grades compared with a UK average of 21 per cent. “I’m delighted to be departing the school with such exceptional results and it’s a tribute to the hard work of pupils and staff,” said Ms Drew.
Of the results this year, 48 per cent were A* or As compared with 39 per cent last year. A* and B grades were up 8 per cent to 78 per cent compared with last year and 97 per cent achieved A* to C grades compared with 96 per cent in 2014.
Jumeirah College students achieved 59.6 per cent A* and A grades with 30 students gaining straight A*/A grades in all subjects and Wellington International School with 46.6 per cent A* and A grades.
nhanif@thenational.ae