Beacon Academy’s Outstanding 2020 GCSE Results

Happy students and teachers celebrated “best ever” GCSE results at Beacon Academy in Cleethorpes.

Head teacher Jason Thurley was “delighted” after a turbulent week led to students awarded their qualifications based on centre-assessed grades with Beacon students not disadvantaged by the algorithm. “We have our best ever set of results that reflect the hard work put in by students and staff,” Mr Thurley said. “Subject leaders carefully moderated with their teachers to ensure students can be confident the grades they received are fair and honest. “We have teachers who are AQA examiners and we were able to utilise this expertise in our assessments and ensure against grade inflation.”

Ruby achieved the top 9-7 grades in eight subjects including grade 9s in English Language, English Literature, Art, Photography and a grade 8 in History. She said: “I feel overwhelmed. I was worried about how the grading would go but I’m so pleased with my results. “It’s been a really good journey at this school. The sudden end was sad.” Ruby is going to study double Health and Social Care and Fine Art at Franklin Sixth Form College.

Jessica was awarded 9-7 grades in English Language, English Literature, Geography, Sports Science and Performing Arts. “I feel relieved,” she said. “I was just doubting the results with everything that has been going on. “I’ve got what I wanted and am going to study English Language, English Literature and a level 3 BTec in Sport at Franklin. “It’s a bitter-sweet moment as I’ve had such a good time at this school. I appreciate everything it has done for me. “I don’t want to leave as it has shaped me into who I am today.”

Nicholas was rewarded with 9-7 grades in 10 subjects including grade 9s in Maths, Further Maths, Science and Business Studies. He was “pleased”. “I’ve enjoyed my time at Beacon and am going on to study Maths, Further Maths and Politics and Government at Franklin,” he said.

Formal vocational results will be released next Tuesday, the Department for Education has announced.

Mr Thurley said: “For those in option subjects who have studied for Cambridge Nationals, we are letting them know their teacher-assessed grades until they are formally released, we consistently achieve outstanding results in our option subjects. “We are told some may see their grades increase next week when they will be calculated by the Department for Education’s algorithm. Students can be confident their grades will either stay the same or will go up.” The improved year-on-year performance reflected the school’s overall performance since joining Wellspring Academy Trust and becoming Beacon Academy in September, 2017. It was graded ‘good’ by Ofsted in the rigorous new framework as recently as March 2020. “Staff and students, supported by parents, have worked incredibly hard and I want to thank them all for their efforts,” said Mr Thurley.

“The improvements to teaching and learning at Beacon have been recognised in the community. “We are over-subscribed for September’s Year 7 intake and we are full in Years 8 and 9 too. We are looking forward to welcoming back all students next month with an expanded curriculum and additional teachers.”

“We are also pleased that a planned open evening and morning for those transferring to secondary education in 2021 will take place soon, more information will be posted on the academy website.”