Dubai students break records despite tougher GCSE exams

Dubai - Students from 16 GEMS Education schools have recorded another successful year.

Dhanusha Gokulan

Published: Fri 23 Aug 2019, 10:48 PM

Last updated: Sat 24 Aug 2019, 10:18 AM

For thousands of students, the long wait over the summer came to an end as the General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) / International GCSE results were revealed on Thursday. Despite tougher examinations, curriculum reforms, and changes to the grading format, UAE students have performed spectacularly this academic year.

School officials said despite concerns that increased difficulty in GCSE curriculum would decrease outcomes, the students have scored the 'highest marks ever'.

Simon Jodrell, principal of the Dubai British School (DBS), said: "Despite concerns by some global commentators about the 'increased difficulty', we are pleased to announce that we have had our best year ever. These outcomes are a testament to our staff, students and parent's hard work, support and dedication, I sincerely congratulate them all."

Staff dedication key to success

Students from 16 GEMS Education schools have recorded another successful year. According to Sir Christopher Stone, global chief education officer of GEMS Education, the schools hosted a record 2,800 students who sat over 17,700 IGSCE/GCSE examinations in 2019.

He said that across the network, 357 students achieved the highest '9' grade, with 46 per cent of students achieving at least an A* grade. Of all grades achieved across the network, 20 per cent were at A* (9-8) and 67 per cent were A*-B (9-5).

Darren Gale, the principal of Horizon International School said: "A total of 93 per cent of students have met and exceeded the benchmark standards of five Grade 9-4 including English and Maths. Across English, Maths and Science, we are delighted with the average valued-added progress measure of at least two grades."

Top scores

According to Gale, a total of 38 per cent of the students attained Grade 9-7 across eight subjects and nearly a third of the Horizon International School Grades were at Grade 9-8. A total of 45 per cent of the results were at Grade 7 and above, and 100 per cent of students meeting the expected standard for English Language and Literature.

At the Dubai British School, educators announced another record-breaking year. More than 52 per cent of the students who sat the exams scored 9 to 7 - up to five per cent from last year and 88 per cent of students achieved at least 5 A*-C. Two students, Hanna Chenneour and Emir Yilmaz, have achieved 10 grade 9s.

Alan Williamson, CEO of Taaleem, said: "These results are tremendously encouraging as they are the best ever achieved at DBS."

Extraordinary results for GEMS Education students

. Jumeirah College: 78 grade 9s and 95% of grades at A*-B

. GEMS Wellington International School: 89% of grades A*-B

. GEMS Wellington Silicon Oasis: 84% of grades at A*-B and 53% of students achieving at grade 9

. GEMS Wellington Academy: 82% of grades at A*-B

. Wesgreen International School, Sharjah: 75% of grades at A*-B

. GEMS Metropole: 1/5 students achieving a grade 9 and 64%of grades at A*-C

. The Westminster School Dubai: 60% of grades at A*-B

dhanusha@khaleejtimes.com