We congratulate the students of 2024 for a very good set of GCSE results, which reflect the cohort’s excellent work ethic and determination to succeed in spite of challenges.  We are delighted that all of them achieved the grades they need to enrol at the sixth form of their choice.

Our performance analysis

This was a particularly small cohort - only 9 students - so caution needs to be exercised when drawing conclusions from the statistical data, as one or two students’ outcomes could disproportionately impact the overall statistics. 

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 0.9 compared with 0.5 in 2023, 1.14 in 2022, 1.46 in 2021 (teachers assessed grades), 1.04 in 2020 (centre assessed grades), 0.93 in 2019 and 0.40 in 2018.  This means that on average students achieved nearly one 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 69.6 from 62.9 last year. By way of comparison, DfE published data shows CFS had the highest Attainment 8 score of all non-selective Liverpool schools, scoring 12.5 points above the next highest ranking school.  

 
Compare-school-performance.gov.uk 

89% of our students achieved strong passes (5 or above) in English and Maths compared with 87% in 2023, 70% in 2022, 77% in 2021, 82% in 2020, 100% in 2019 and 83% in 2018.   

EBacc

This year 89% 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 57% in 2023, 77% in 2022, 62% in 2021, 76% in 2020, 88% in 2019 and 83% in 2018.   

Our average EBacc point score (including all pupils in the cohort) is 6.6, compared with 6.8 in 2023, 6.1 in 2022, 6.7 in 2021, 7.1 in 2020, 6.8 in 2019 and 5.9 In 2018.  For comparative purposes, our average point score of 6.65 was the highest average point score in non-selective schools in Liverpool, 1.44 points above the next ranking school.

At 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 each year’s cohort is numerically small compared to most other schools, meaning that one pupil can make a significant difference (this year, up to 11 percentage points).  Also cohorts can change significantly from year to year in terms of whether they are biased towards academic subjects or towards creative and practical subjects.  This makes year-on-year comparisons less valid than in schools where student numbers are greater and the cohort profiles less variable.  

In 2024 achievement in core subject GCSEs was slightly higher than previous years. All students achieved at or above their target grades and the majority have scored on average more than one GCSE grade above their target.  Our detailed analyses indicate that both academically able pupils and those whose bias is towards more vocational areas are achieving well. 

*  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 7.3) and pupils with a first language other than English were offered the opportunity to take a GCSE in their first language (average score 9). 

Y10 cohort 

At CFS pupils take GCSE Religious Studies in Y10.  The majority of pupils in this cohort attained at or above their target grade.

Finally ...

We are thankful to God for the excellent work ethic that prevailed in this cohort and for the mutual encouragement that they gave to one another.  Their determination to give of their best was evident not only in their academic achievements but in the spiritual and moral leadership qualities they demonstrated.