Seaford College is celebrating once again as students achieve their strongest ever results for GCSE this week. John Green took up his role as Headmaster seven years ago and is seeing his successful strategy for the school pay dividends. His focus on Academic Seaford, his restructuring of the school and the increased focus on ambition for all students has led to these superb results. Seaford has bucked the national trend by gaining 39% 7-9 (A-A**); students nationally have gained 27% 7-9 (A-A**). Seaford’s results reflect our increasing academic momentum where students achieve their personal bests. 

John said: “I’m immensely proud of what all of our students have achieved, we’ve consistently seen improvements each year and it’s great to see our best ever results for both GCSE and A Level for a third consecutive year.  We have achieved our strongest ever GCSE grade 9 (A**), grade 9/8 (A**/A*), grade 9-7 (A**-A), grade 9-6 (A**-B) and grade 9-4 results (A**-C). These grades are supported by the Challenge Grade tracking system and also continue the trend observed in recent years of the College’s improving academic GCSE results. Our teachers know our students well, and these grades reflect this year’s strong cohort, who have been tracked carefully over the last two years using our Challenge Grade tracking system; they have worked hard for the results that they have achieved.”  

Seaford students celebrated success across our broad curriculum. Notable GCSE successes included: Sophie Lalor (from Godalming) achieved seven 9s and three 8s; Tommy Hodson (from Godalming) gained eight 9s, an 8 and a 7; Henry Grantham-Smith (from Cocking) achieved seven 9s, two 8s and a 6; Jack Sullivan (from Churt) gained six 9s, an 8 and two 7s; Megan McDonald (from Arundel) achieved five 9s, two 8s, a 7 and two 6s; Joe Pearce (from Lurgashall) achieved five 9s, four 8s and a 6;  Lia De Vere Green (from Farnham) gained four 9s, two 8s, two 7s and two 6s; Olivia le Butt (from Haslemere) achieved four 9s, three 7s and a 6; Oscar Williams (from Godalming) achieved three 9s, four 8s, a 7 and a 6; William McDavid (from Fittleworth) gained three 9s, two 8s, three 7s, two 6s, and a 4; Dougal Artingstall (from Pulborough) gained two 9s, an 8, four 7s and three 6s; Isobel Black (from Fernhurst) gained two 9s, four 8s, a 7, a 6 and a 5; Charlie Payne (from Chiddingfold) gained two 9s, three 8s, three 7s and a 6; Matilda Tedd (from Loxwood) achieved two 9s, four 8s, a 7, two 6s and a 5; Alex Attard (from Arundel) gained a 9, four 8s and five 7s; Rubee Bracewell (from Rudgwick) achieved two 9s, an 8, a 7 and four 6s; Chloe Moynagh (from Milland) gained two 9s, a 7, three 6s, two 5s and a 4.

John added: “I am so proud of what we have achieved through teamwork with students, my outstanding staff and parents. Our academic strategy and culture of ambition is firmly embedded at all levels. The academic momentum and all-round ambition has seen success from the academically-gifted through to those that find the examination process a challenge. These results provide evidence that the College’s academic strategy, and our focus on improving teaching and learning, is having a sustainable impact.

“Seaford is an incredibly proud, sincere and honest, academically non-selective school where league table comparisons are not of importance to us. Perception is never our concern – we are only interested in each individual child reaching their personal bests, both inside and outside of the classroom.

 “The results, both at GCSE and A Level, are testament to the fact that we are a highly successful and ambitious academic school, producing outstanding bespoke academic results combined with exceptional pastoral care and an ever-developing and expanding co-curricular programme.

 “Our Year 11 group has been affected so much by the public examinations’ lack of clarity and no-one should underestimate how challenging this process has been for our wonderful and talented students over the past few months. We are really looking forward to welcoming the vast majority back into our Sixth Form in September.

“Despite these superb academic achievements, Seaford has maintained its core ethos and these results were achieved in a non-pressurised environment where students have also excelled in co-curricular pursuits alongside their studies. Most importantly these results have been achieved with smiles on our students’ faces, in a happy and supportive community.”

George Vernon, Director–Head of Middle School, proudly said: “Today, under bewildering circumstances, yet again I find myself awestruck by our incredible Year 11. It’s times like these when we learn the true measure of our students, not merely by counting grades in envelopes, but more importantly by celebrating their inimitable talents. Despite all that 2020 has thrown at them, our students have continued to shine and we are incredibly proud of the outstanding GCSE results they have achieved. They are remarkable young people, full of heart, intelligence and spectacular character. We wish them every success as they continue to pursue their passions and dreams.”