Exam Results 2019

We are proud of the fantastic GCSE results achieved by our year 11 students who have surpassed the achievements of previous cohorts.

In 2019 over 36% of our students achieved English and Maths at grade 5 or above, a continued increase from the previous year. In addition, over 58% of students achieved English and Maths at grade 4 or above. (Grade 4 is equated to the legacy pass at C grade).  

In English, over 75% achieved grades 9-4 (the equivalent of legacy pass at C or above), over 13% achieved Grades 9-7 (Grade 7 is equated to the legacy pass at A grade). 56% of our students attained 9-5 in at least one of their English qualifications. In English Language over 47% achieved 9-5, and 70% achieved 9-4 compared to 62% national average, and in English Literature 40% achieved 9-5 compared, and 58% achieved 9 to 4.

In Maths, over 65% achieved grades 9-4, a continued increase and above the national average of 60%, with over 38% achieving grades 9 to 5, an increase of 12% from the previous year and 11% attaining grades 7 to 9.

In Science, 77% achieved at least one grade 9-4, an increase of 17% from the previous year and 53% achieved at least one grade 9-5, an increase of 18% from the previous year. 62% of students achieved two 9 to 4 grades in Science and 37% achieved two 9 to 5 grades. All three separate sciences were significantly above the National Average, seeing significant improvements from the previous year at 9-5, and all achieving 100% at Grades 9-4.

Other notable successes include:

Drama –  100% at grades 9-4

Sports Studies - 43% at Grades 9-7, 74% at equivalent Grades 9-5 and 93% at equivalent grade 9-4, performing in-line with the top 5% in most key areas

Psychology - 80% of students attaining Grades 9-5

Graphics - 92% at grades 9-4 and performing in line with the top 5% of similar students at grades 9-5.

The EBacc certification is awarded to students achieving Grades 9-5 (strong pass) or Grades 9 to 4 (standard pass) in English, Maths, Science, a Language and a Humanities subject. In 2019, 22 % of our students achieved this at a standard pass and above (Grades 9-4 in English and Maths), with 14% achieving a strong pass - 46% of our Year 11 cohort.

Our EBacc average point score was 3.78, across all students in the year group, increasing by 0.22 from the previous year.

Attainment 8 and Progress 8 scores measure students’ success in their 8 best subjects (English, Maths, three EBacc subjects and any other three).

Progress 8 scores are calculated for students for the sole purpose of calculating the school’s Progress 8 score. It is calculated comparing student performances to those nationally who attained the same scores as they did in their SAT’s at the end of KS2.

The school’s Progress 8 score is the mean average of its pupils’ Progress 8 score. For all mainstream schools nationally, the average progress 8 score will be zero. The government floor target is -0.50. Our verified Progress 8 score in 2017/18 is -0.295, showing consistent improvement over the last three years. Our unverified data from 2018/19 suggests we have again shown significant improvement. We are working hard to consistently improve our results, to at least national average in the first instance.

In 2019 our students achieved an average Attainment 8 score of 42.85 an increase of over 1½ points from 2018, showing consistent improvement.

Destination data

According to the Department for Education, our most recent destination data shows that, of the 167 students who left The Dorcan Academy in 2015-16, 94% went on to sustained education, employment or training, in line with the national figure of 94%.  Information provided by Swindon Borough Council indicates this figure was 98%.

Summary of GCSE Examination Results 2019

Link to the Department of Education Performance Tables