Pupils and school staff have spoken of their relief at exceeding expectations in this year's GCSE exams despite the effects of the US-Iran war.
A significant interruption to the academic year meant exams were disrupted – many of them cancelled – because of the war in Iran.
Schools were forced to vacate classrooms and switch to remote learning in early March at the outbreak of the conflict, before later returning to in-person teaching.
There were celebrations at Arcadia British School in Dubai on Thursday, where a group of pupils gathered with their parents and siblings to receive the results.
“I’m pretty happy with the results,” said Nishna, 16. “I do know that it was a bit harder to consolidate for the teachers because of the circumstances – with the war they had to consolidate our portfolio.” She was among the top scorers at the Arcadia British School who achieved grade 9s – the top grade – in six subjects.
Schools were asked to compile portfolios of pupils' work to help decide final grades after some boards cancelled examinations this year for international students.
Like other nervous pupils, Nishna asked her parents to check her results before she took a look. “I did want to see their reaction, I think that's more valuable than the actual numbers,” she said, before addressing the upheaval the Iran war caused for her and her fellow pupils.
“It was quite difficult but the teachers are very supportive. There was constant reassurance that everything will be fine, work within your capacity, and when you have those conversations it felt pretty much easier.”
Devpriya Sarvepalli, Nishna’s mother, said the family had ensured she had time to relax so she was not constantly focused on school work.
“She studies on her own and we don’t need to do much but we have been constantly keeping a watch on her, motivating her during the tough times in the war,” she said.
“We made sure she got healthy food, that she would go for a walk, go for a run, watch some movies.”
Ryotaro, 17, said the summer was a blur of managing nerves over his results. Spending time with family in Japan helped him.
“I was very nervous for the entire summer break,” he said. “I was back in Japan for the summer, always talking to my family and my grandparents. I was worried I would get a bad grade despite the effort I put in but they made me relax.”
Jeni, 16, plans to take biology, chemistry, psychology and maths A-levels. She is grateful for the support she received during the upheaval from the war.
“My family and friends really helped,” she said. “Also talking to my friends, hanging out with them, trying to help each other through the war and missile alerts also helped.”
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Pupils Sean Jenner and Aryamik Velliyur celebrate their GCSE results at Repton School Abu Dhabi. All photos: Victor Besa / The National -
Ibrahim Dobia, Raya Al Rifai, Zaid Abu Elsameed and Isobelle Hilliard celebrate with Repton's vice principal Stephen Davis -
Pupils receiving their GCSE results this year had their learning disrupted by the US-Iran war -
Ranvir Singh with his father Kulvinder -
Nia Dhami, Raya Al Rifai and Georgia Beetham -
Two pupils congratulate each other -
Hana Rose Simon and Alyaziah Alfalahi are happy with their results -
Matthew Gerntholtz, Raya Al Rifai and Abdulla Aljneibi
Giles Pruett, executive principal at Arcadia British School, congratulated the teenagers on their results and acknowledged the additional work each pupil and teacher had put in when schools shifted to online learning during the conflict.
“We're absolutely delighted, particularly because we had such a period of uncertainty for the students who missed quite a bit of their learning,” he said.
“So to miss six weeks of in-class, face-to-face learning – and it's the time when students do most of the consolidation, additional practice papers, making sure they're getting ready for the examinations – it’s much harder to do remotely.”
The decision by examination boards to cancel final GCSE examinations in the region was the biggest challenge with pupils requiring more assessments and working with teachers to build portfolios of work that could be submitted towards the final grade.
“It’s been challenging for the students,” Mr Pruett said. “We are so technically adept these days so to switch to online learning, we can do this within 12 hours. And so, every time the school was asked to close, for regional safety, which was the logical and the right thing to do, we immediately pivoted to online learning.”
A senior figure from an Abu Dhabi school told of the pupils' relief “after an unprecedented year”.
“What these guys have gone through is not something that they'd known was coming,” said Jon Hughes, head teacher of Repton Abu Dhabi's senior school. “The resilience that they have got is unbelievable, and I think us as adults and people in education, we can really learn from these guys.”
Pupils also spoke about the disruption. “It was a bit hectic at the start, but once we knew that it was settled, and we're doing our exams, it was OK,” said Aeza Eradhun from Mauritius.
Emirati pupil Alyaziah Alfalahi was one of Repton Abu Dhabi's highest performers, achieving eight grade 9s, one grade 8 and one grade 7 in her results.
“This has been an unusual year, bringing additional challenges, frustrations and uncertainty at an important stage in their education,” said Rebecca Gray, chief education officer of schools group Taaleem.
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Students at Arcadia British School found out their GCSE results on Thursday. All Photos: Antonie Robertson/The National -
Nishna and Jeni compare results at Arcadia British School -
Jeni receives her results with her mother Kohilarani and her brother Christopher -
Ryotaro at Arcadian British School with his mother Maiko, who flew over from Japan for the results -
Nishna checks her results with her parents Srivatsav and Devpriya at British Arcadian School
“Our students responded with remarkable maturity, remaining focused and determined while adapting to circumstances beyond their control.
“This cohort has had to navigate an unusual year, including difficulties and frustrations that they could not have anticipated. The resilience, patience and strength of character they have demonstrated make their achievements even more meaningful.”
Dealing with disruption
Emergency protocols were activated after Iran launched attacks on the Emirates and overseas pupils moved off campus to hotels before being helped to leave the country.
There was much uncertainty about how grades would be scored, with pupils unable to attend in-person exams.
A senior figure from Gems Education, where more than 4,250 pupils received 30,000 results in the UAE, said the achievement was not merely about obtaining results but also showing great character in difficult times.
“These results mean so much because they speak not only to academic achievement, but to character,” said Lisa Crausby, group chief education officer.
“Our students have shown focus, determination and real resilience, continuing to give their best through a period of uncertainty and challenge. We are immensely proud of each of our students. Behind every outstanding grade is hard work, inspirational teaching and the steady support of families.”
Thirty per cent of pupils in Gems schools obtained grades 8 and 9 while almost half, 48 per cent, received grade 7 and above.
Staff and pupils were also celebrating a strong performance at Jebel Ali School in Dubai where 38 per cent of students obtained grades 8 and 9.
“What makes me most proud, however, is the way they have conducted themselves throughout this year,” said Joshua Missen, head of year at Jebel Ali School.
“The challenges and uncertainty they have faced have not always been easy, but they have approached everything with maturity, positivity and a willingness to support one another. They should be incredibly proud of what they have achieved.”
Another school celebrating this year was Brighton College Abu Dhabi which enjoyed its best GCSE results ever, with grade 9 accounting for 43 per cent of all grades awarded.
Seventy-six per cent of pupils achieved grades 9–7 across their GCSE subjects, with the highest achieving pupil, Ilinca Hirjoaba, receiving 11 grade 9s.
“They have adapted to uncertainty with remarkable determination, remained committed to their learning and supported each other throughout,” said Barney Durrant, head master of the school.
