Herefordshire students have once again showcased their academic prowess, delivering impressive GCSE results that defy the national trend. While GCSE grades in England witnessed a decline this year, aligning more with pre-pandemic levels, several Herefordshire schools have maintained or even surpassed their 2022 pass rates.

A notable achievement was in English, where 58 per cent of Herefordshire students secured a Grade 5 or above, outperforming the national average of 55 per cent. Additionally, half of the students achieved a Grade 5 or above in maths.

Since 2020, the GCSE grading system has transitioned from the traditional A* to G scale to a numerical one, ranging from 9 to 1. In this system, a grade 4 is deemed a standard pass, while grade 5 is recognised as a strong pass.

Councillor Ivan Powell, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, expressed his delight at the results. “Following the success of the A-levels last week, it's heartening to see our GCSE students also excel. A massive congratulations to the students, their dedicated teachers, school staff, and of course, the parents and carers,” he remarked. Powell further extended his best wishes to the students for their future endeavours, whether they opt for further education, apprenticeships, training, or employment.

For students pondering their results and next steps, several resources are available:

The results period can be emotionally taxing for some students. Those in need of mental health support can access various platforms:

The Talk Community Directory at www.talkcommunitydirectory.org/mentalhealth provides a comprehensive list of local and national mental health and wellbeing support. In urgent situations, individuals can contact Herefordshire’s mental health helpline at 0808 196 9127, available 24/7, or seek an emergency appointment with their GP or call NHS 111.