We congratulate the students of 2023 for a very good set of GCSE results, which reflect the cohort’s strong work ethic and determination to succeed in spite of difficulties and set-backs.  We are delighted that all of them achieved the grades they need to enrol at one of their post-16 choices. 

Our performance analysis

This year the exam boards have set grade boundaries higher in order to bring them closer to pre-pandemic levels.  The DfE has therefore stated that “performance in 2023 will generally be lower than in 2022” and advise that the more meaningful comparison should be with pre-COVID years. 

Progress against school targets

We measure progress by using the CAT tests taken in Y8 to provide an initial baseline indicator of cognitive abilities and predicted GCSE grades.  These predictors are occasionally calibrated using other relevant data to give a school minimum expected grade (MEG).   Using this internal measure, our overall progress score this year (including RS) was 0.5 compared with 1.14 last year, 1.04 in 2021, 0.93 in 2019 and 0.40 in 2018.  This means that on average students achieved half a grade higher than their Minimum Expected Grades in their eight best GCSE subjects.  Progress scores above 0.5 are generally considered very good.

Students performing at or above their target grade (MEG)

As always, with small cohort sizes, percentage figures can be impacted by one or two under- or over-achieving students, and year-on-year comparisons should therefore be treated with caution.     

Attainment 8 score

Our Attainment 8 score (based on the best eight GCSE grades) has improved to 63.0 from 60.3 last year.  By way of comparison, provisional DfE published data shows CFS had the highest Attainment 8 score of all Liverpool schools, apart from one selective school that admits on the basis of academic achievement in an entrance exam.   

 
Compare-school-performance.gov.uk 

74% of our students achieved strong passes (5 or above) in English and Maths compared with 69% in 2022, 77% in 2021, 82% in 2020, 100% in 2019 and 83% in 2018.   Provisional figures published by the DfE indicate that this was the highest score for non-selective schools in Liverpool.  

EBacc

This year 65% of students were entered for the EBacc suite of subjects (two sciences, a modern foreign language and a humanities subject, in addition to English and Maths)  - compared with 77% in 2022, 62% in 2021, 76% in 2020, 88% in 2019 and 83% in 2018.  By way of comparison, the latest national figures show that 39% of pupils are entered for EBacc subjects in state maintained schools; CFS had the 3rd highest percentage entered of all non-selective Liverpool schools.  

The DfE’s provisional data shows that our average EBacc point score is 6.8, compared with 6.0 in 2022, 6.7 in 2021, 7.1 in 2020, 6.8 in 2019 and 5.9 In 2018 .  For comparative purposes, this is the highest EBacc point score of all non-selective Liverpool schools.  

For CFS, our priorities are spiritual and character formation.  However we continue to be thankful that in seeking first God’s kingdom, our pupils also make good educational progress and attain at a high level academically.  

All core subjects (% with passes at Grade Grade 4/5 or higher)

In analysing our performance in the core subjects, we note that cohorts can be very small (such as the 2019 cohort) and cohort profiles can change significantly from year to year in terms of whether pupils lean more towards academic subjects or towards creative and practical subjects.   This means that year-on-year comparisons should be treated with caution.  Overall, our detailed analyses indicate that more able pupils are achieving their potential, while less academically able pupils are provided with a relevant curriculum and appropriate support.  

*  Figures are based on the percentage of students who studied the subject.  

Flexi-ed Subjects

This cohort contained some particularly able students who challenged themselves by taking on extra subjects. The Level 2 Certificate in Further Maths was attempted by three pupils (average score 8) and other pupils studied Business Studies (average score 7.7), Computer Science (average score 6.7), Food & Nutrition (average score 5), and Design & Technology (average score 9).  Pupils with a first language other than English were offered the opportunity to take a GCSE in their first language (average score 9). 

Y10 Religious Studies GCSE

At CFS pupils take GCSE Religious Studies in Y10.  We are delighted with the exceptionally strong performance of our Y10 pupils this year, with an average score of 8.3 and all pupils attaining above or well above their target grade.

Finally

We are thankful to God for the excellent work ethic that prevailed in this cohort.  We are enormously proud of the way the students handled themselves in the most trying of circumstances of the last few years, maintaining their focus to prepare for the next stage.   We wish them the very best in the new challenges and opportunities of their new settings.  We gratefully acknowledge the crucial role played by the love and prayers of the parents and the rest of the school community, in supporting the students throughout their time in CFS.