Felixstowe Academy is to resubmit all of its GCSE students’ English coursework for remarking after the marks were downgraded.

Ipswich Star: Delighted Felixstowe Academy GCSE students Celina Chan, Dorothy Cook, Catherine Monk and Lorna Watkins.Delighted Felixstowe Academy GCSE students Celina Chan, Dorothy Cook, Catherine Monk and Lorna Watkins. (Image: Archant)

Academy principal Andrew Salter said the whole year group’s work will be sent back to be reassessed.

He said the final adjusted results, which had been independently marked and graded, were lowered across the year group, and did not reflect the strong grades achieved through the examinations.

As a result 58% of students gained grades A*to C in English – though the academy strongly believes that following the resubmission of coursework, this figure will improve.

Overall, 43% of students gained five A*to C with English and Maths – the same as last year.

Mr Salter paid tribute to the resilience of the year group, which has faced much change over its five year journey in secondary education, and thanked staff for their support.

He said: “All this has been achieved at a time of great change for staff and students in making the momentous move from two schools into one new academy build. This has been an enormous challenge we have all had to undertake whilst also delivering our core purpose – a good education for every child.”

Students were thrilled with their results.

Jordan Astley acknowledged the effort that went into his achievement of four A* grades, four A grades and 2 B grades at GCSE saying: “It is like a great weight has been lifted – I am really pleased that all the effort that went into my studies has paid off.

“I really had to try harder in Year 10 and 11, but these results show that if you work hard you can get the results.”

Sean Bennett, who had achieved three A* grades, five A grades and two B grades, agreed. He said: “Revision didn’t agree with me, but hey – it paid off and I can live with these results!”

The Academy was delighted that more than half of subject areas matched or beat the national A* to C grade figures.

This achievement was from subjects right across the spectrum, including Science, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Performing Arts, Music, Textiles, Media, Business Studies and a new more demanding course in ICT.

Felixstowe Academy also saw a third of subject areas making significant improvement in students achieving A*/A grades.

Students Alice Sherwin, who achieved seven A* grades alongside three A grades, and Holly Taylor, who achieved an A* grade along with seven A grades and a B grade, were “ecstatic” with their results.

Jessica Ellery, who also achieved a Distinction* along with A and B grades, summed how they were all feeling. She said: “Our social life had to suffer over the past year, but the time spent in revising was worth it!”

Results from all Science subjects improved against last year, with 27% of the students gaining A*/A grades, whilst in Biology, Chemistry and Physics 90% of students gained A* to C grades in line with last year’s national figures.