Highlight of the Week

Top GCSE results provide springboard for new sixth form

The Cathedral School's expansion to sixth form from this September is off to the best possible start with an outstanding set of GCSE results from the current Year 11 cohort.

70% of all grades were A* or A, with an overall pass rate (A*-C) of 99%.

There were particularly outstanding results in subjects where the school has moved from offering the GCSE to the more demanding IGCSE (International GCSE) course, namely Sciences, Further Mathematics, ICT and Sport. 85% of all grades in the Sciences were A*/A and 96% of Further Maths grades were A*/A.

Of the 61 candidates, all scored at least 5 GCSEs at A*-C (the government's basic standard for 16 year olds); three quarters of the cohort scored at least 5 A*/A grades.

Top performers, scoring all A* grades, included Lorna P of Llandaff, who intends to study languages and music at the Cathedral School, George G of Lisvane who will study Science and Maths, and Nicole S-C who will be studying Science and English, also at the Cathedral School.

Headmaster Stephen Morris said: "These quite breath-taking results vindicate our decision three years ago to move to teaching IGCSE in the most demanding subjects, as better preparation for A level and entrance to the most competitive universities. Nurturing bright and hardworking students within an ambitious environment is what our new sixth form is all about, and these results today provide the best possible context for our A level teaching from September."

As well as many of the current cohort of Year 11 students staying on, a number of students from other local schools will join the new sixth form, attracted by the small class sizes, strong emphasis upon preparation for top universities and breadth of co-curricular opportunities, especially in music.

The school will host a Sixth Form Open Evening on 26^th September and a whole school Open Morning on Saturday 5^th October 2013.