30 Hull pupils pass GCSE English aged just 12!
A CLASS of 12-year-olds have passed their English GCSEs – three years early.
Thirty pupils fromWinifred Holtby School, in Bransholme, took the exam after being in secondary school for just one year.
The youngsters studied GCSE subjects meant for 15 and 16-year-olds, including Great Expectations, by Charles Dickens, and Shakespeare's Romeo And Juliet.
They completed coursework at the end of Year 7 before sitting the GCSE exam in November.
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The group achieved two A grades, nine Bs, 15 Cs and four Ds and their efforts have been hailed as "fantastic".
They will now study GCSE English Literature for a year.
The youngsters will move on to the more challenging A-level English in Year 10, the time most children their age are starting their GCSEs.
Jake Jobling, who got a grade B, said: "I'm really proud of myself that I was able to do challenging work Year 10 and 11 students do."
Michelle Kermeen, the class's English teacher and an assistant head teacher at the school, said: "I quickly recognised this class was unique.
"They were producing work that could have been awarded a GCSE grade.
"I asked them if they wanted me to mark their end-of-year exams in Year 7 against the GCSE standard.
"They were all enthusiastic and wanted to do it.
"I also asked their parents if they would be happy with them taking the GCSE.
"By the end of Year 7 they had completed three pieces of GCSE coursework."
During October half-term, the class spent time in extra lessons with Year 11 pupils from the school, who were also sitting their GCSE English.
"What is special about this group is their work ethic. They all have that ambition and desire," said Mrs Kermeen.
Head teacher Steve Liddle said: "It clearly shows that education and examination success is about stage, not age.
"Clearly, if students have the potential they should not be straitjacketed into numerous examinations all taking place at the end of Year 11.
"High-flyers should be given the chance to excel when they are ready and that is what we have done with this cohort of exceptionally gifted students."
Mr Liddle told the Mail the support of the parents was a huge factor.
"These outcomes are just the tip of the iceberg and go to prove all students in Hull have the ability to achieve, just like any other child in the country," said Mr Liddle.
"Everyone involved in their education should be proud of what they have achieved.
"I am so proud of every single one of them."
Sonny Mussared, 12, got a B. His mum, Suzanne, said: "I think it is absolutely fantastic.
"The fact they had the opportunity to take these exams early is telling them they are capable of doing it.
"It has made Sonny look at his other subjects differently and what he is capable of achieving.
"He is already talking about his CV and what he can put on it and really thinking ahead. This has given him the confidence to do that."
Sonny said: "I think being allowed to do this builds morale and it is good for the future."
In last year's results, 41 per cent of pupils at Winifred Holtby got the Government benchmark of five A*-C GCSEs, including English and maths
Adrian Joice, Hull branch secretary for the teaching union NASUWT, said: "It is great there are children motivated to succeed at an early age.
"This will also encourage other students.
"Often, people take exams a year early, and you hear of the individual extraordinary case, but I have not come across this many."
Helene O'Mullane, portfolio holder for children's services at Hull City Council, said: "It is great the staff, parents and children have recognised the talent and it has been nurtured.
"We spend a lot of time bringing children up to the right level, but we also need to remember gifted children.
"This is inspirational to other children across the city.
"Winifred Holtby School has really taken off."
Comments
by angrywm
Thursday, January 26 2012, 4:41PM
“Well done. At last, a good news story about the educational achievements of Hull's school pupils.
Congratulations to the students, teachers and parents. I strongly suspect that these parents place a strong value on learning and have encouraged the children. Good teaching is important but it begins at home.
@RMW1963: Do you have children? Is that how you encourage them, by telling them it's all over at 12?! There is nothing stopping them from re-sitting the exam if they so wish.
I grew up on Orchard Park and attended Danepark and Cooper.Some of my own grades weren't so good at school but I persevered and ultimately achieved an Honours degree in Electrical engineering. I now travel the world working for a multinational company earning a tidy sum, so please don't tell kids they are washed up at 12 years old.
@myhull: It's 'impartial' not 'inpartial' as I'm sure these children could have told you.”
by SBM77
Thursday, January 26 2012, 2:11PM
“I came from Bransholme and achieved First Class degree. It's great to see something positive come out of what is usually seen as a place for chavs and drug takers. Lot's of good, hard working people live on Bransholme. Well done kids and well done the school for encouraging pupils to exceed expectations.”
by dontlookdown
Wednesday, January 25 2012, 1:04PM
“I don't know about these particular pupils, but generally I believe we should be hothousing and challenging any child who shows promise, and anyone who isn't academic should maybe be encouraged more in practiacl skills. Not a return to the 11+ but a more flexible approach to supply the workforce and universities of the UK with a better standard of school leaver.”
by longandshort
Wednesday, January 25 2012, 1:01PM
“well done kids,well done the teachers and support staff
And mostly well done the parents,I know a lot of people outside the aria of Bransholme knock the estate and yes sometimes with good cause but out of 90 odd thousand people the vast majority are law abiding citizens its just the very small majority who drag it down,but you could also say that about the the villages of Anlaby,Hessle and Swanland
My Brother in Law is a PC at Bransholme police station and he loves working there,In fact he finds it boring more then anything and finds more then enough excitment when he as to police the center of our City....Anyway enough of that.....Well Done Kids,wherever you come from..Keep it up”
by Jack_Higgins
Wednesday, January 25 2012, 12:23PM
“@ myhull
I quite agree with you. However, I normally get shot down in flames for being realistic. And, let's face it, it IS good for these kids because it puts a positive spin on education in an area that is full of 4th generation dolies, for whom a job is a lower paid career than the benefits system.
@ rmw1963
They are not "saddled" with any grade. They can resit the exam and potentially score higher, with a few years more lessons.
What this experience shows them is that they are not destined to a life of Branshole, that they can achieve if they put the work in, and there is a future for them that does not revolve around the dole queue!”
by zziplex1
Wednesday, January 25 2012, 12:07PM
“mrst74, and congratulations to you too,no doubt you played a big part in your childs education,well done to you and the other parents....not forgeting their teachers either .”
by rmw1963
Wednesday, January 25 2012, 11:30AM
“Sorry, but a "D" grade isn't a pass and is not viewed as such by employers who are looking for grade C and above.
Those 4 kids might well have got a higher grade at aged 16 but are now saddled with D grades.
Not so good for them is it ?”
by myhull
Wednesday, January 25 2012, 10:37AM
“Well done to the kids, this is very impressive and i am truly happy for you
Well done Winifred Holtby, you've completely undermined the GCSE system...
When you think about this realistically, if a child can learn enough to pass the final exam in just 2 years, then either:
1. The examinations are dumbed down too far
2. Out of the 5 years at school, 3 of them are wasted
I know every other comment is full of praise, but i'm just being inpartial and seeing it from an employers point of view.”
by Jack_Higgins
Wednesday, January 25 2012, 6:54AM
“It is fantastic and very encouraging. I hope these children continue in this vein, and receive the support they need from home as well as school and they continue to achieve.”
by francis31
Wednesday, January 25 2012, 2:06AM
“Well done, these kids are our future the skys the limit my daughter is starting winifred holtby in september i now know she will be given every chance to succeed!!! :-)))”