FROME can be really proud of its college, says Frome Community College headteacher Gavin Ball, following the release of this year’s GSCE and A-level results. 
The college recorded its best ever results at both A-level and GCSE, and Gavin Ball has set the targets even higher for next year.
Students destined for top universities
In the A-levels, students recording the college’s highest ever average points score and there were some excellent individual results including Matthew Steele who achieved four A* grades. Nearly a third of all A-level and BTEC results were at A* or A grade or equivalent, with over 50% of the grades ranging from A* to B.
John Robson, assistant principal post 16 said, “We congratulate all of our outgoing year 13s who have been a real credit to the college and we wish them every success in the future.
“Particular praise must go to top performing student Matthew Steele, who achieved 4 A* grades and who will apply for veterinary science following a gap year.
“Other notable A*/A performances came from Daisy Graham, Clare Krige, Jason Powell, Elly Sims, Natalie Slay, Ryan Stendall and Hannah Turner. These and many others have secured places at prestigious universities including Bath, Durham, Exeter, Warwick and York and we look forward to hearing of their successes and achievements in the future. Well done to all.”
Results at GCSE
The benchmark of 5 A* – C grades (including English and maths) at GCSE has gone up to 55% at Frome College this year, compared to 47% last year. The school is particularly pleased with its maths and English results, with 67% A*-C in maths and 60% A*-C in English.
Headteacher Gavin Ball said, “A 17% improvement on last year has taken the headline figure for students achieving 5 higher GCSE passes (including English and maths) to 55%, the highest it has ever been.
“10% increases were also made to English and maths results, with both subjects recording their best ever grades.
“These increases are set against the likelihood of decreases at a national level, with it becoming harder to achieve higher grades in maths and English. This improvement is a testament to the hard work of students and staff at the college.
“Other measures, such as the average point score per student, have risen showing that students are achieving more higher level GCSE grades than ever before at Frome. The levels of progress (another measure that shows the value added to each student) has also risen in maths and English. The average capped point score that shows the best 8 GCSE subjects for a student is also up on last year.”
Individual high performers include Leah Mundy, Jessica Williams, Molly Parry all achieving 9 A* GCSEs; Lucy Davies, Alice Curruthers achieving 7 A* GCSEs; Magnus Jorgenson 6 A*; and Tom Kibblewhite, Kate James, Helena Kendall and Toby Kay on 5 A* GCSEs (all with A grades in their other subjects).
Gavin Ball added, “There are a number of students who have overcome difficult circumstances to achieve fantastic results and others who have achieved outstanding personal results.
“I am delighted at the record results this year and wish to congratulate the students on their success. The new belief and confidence at the college is already having a positive impact on student achievement.
“But it won’t stop there. We want to break 60% (5A*-C including English and maths), and we definitely want to hit 70% for maths, which we can do. We’re doing a lot of work on year 10 and year 9, and those progress levels are up already. The trajectory is upwards.
“Frome can be really proud of the college.”
