GCSE results: UAE pupils excel despite fewer top grades awarded globally

Schoolchildren and teaching staff celebrate high exam scores

Sara Atif Adlan, a pupil at Gems Founders School - Al Mizhar, opens her GCSE results. Antonie Robertson/The National

Ashwati Palanivel, also of Gems Founders School - Al Mizhar, reads her result slip. Antonie Robertson/The National

Celebration time for Lauren Georgia Newell, a pupil at the same school. Antonie Robertson / The National

Pupil Hanin Ehab Mustafa is all smiles. Antonie Robertson / The National

Another pupil, Naisha Argawal, celebrates. Antonie Robertson / The National

Collecting GCSE results at Gems Founders School - Al Mizhar. Antonie Robertson / The National

Tears of joy from the mother of Arshiya Kabir after getting perfect 9's for her GCSE. Victor Besa / The National

Ghazal Khzouz and parents celebrate after getting her GCSE results at Repton Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National

From left, Adam Ouali, Omar Atiyeh and Ahmed Al Qemzi celebrate after getting their GCSE results. Victor Besa / The National

Jud Khoury and mother, Rula, after getting her GCSE results at Repton Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National

Smyan Aggarwal reviews his GCSE results at Repton Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National

Latifa Al Mansoori opens her GCSE results at Repton Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National

Happy pupils receive their GCSE results at Gems Cambridge International Private School in Sharjah on Thursday. Chris Whiteoak / The National

More than 3,600 students from 23 Gems schools in the UAE and Qatar sat GCSE/iGCSE exams this year. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Nishat Rahmay Ullah is given her results at Cambridge International Private School in Sharjah. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Emotions were running high as the marking scheme returned to pre-pandemic rules. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Seven per cent of all students in the Gems network of schools obtained the highest mark possible. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Emma Malkhasian opens her results with her parents on Thursday. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Praanav Unny was another hopeful pupil receiving his grades on Thursday. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Teachers were present on results day to provide support for all pupils. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Snehal Thakkar celebrated her results with confetti. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Snehal is overjoyed after receiving her results. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Hiral Chaudhary and her family find out how she performed in her GCSEs this year. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Megan Silvius and Kyle Bannerman receive their GCSE results on Thursday morning. Photo: Brighton College Dubai

Pupils in the UAE are celebrating after this year's GCSE results were released on Thursday morning.

Their stellar performances were all the more remarkable given that fewer top grades were handed out globally as the exams returned to a tougher, pre-coronavirus model of grading.

The National spoke to staff and pupils from schools all across the Emirates who were over the moon at their performance.

More than 20 per cent of pupils at Brighton College Dubai received the highest result possible, Grade 9, bucking the global trend of a reduction in top marks.

“I am incredibly proud of the achievements of our GCSE cohort who have exceeded their targets,” headmaster Simon Crane said.

“I would like to thank our dedicated staff, pastoral support team and parents who have gone above and beyond in providing pupils with excellent teaching, support and subject knowledge. My warmest congratulations to our excellent pupils and staff on these fantastic achievements.

“As well as being academically dedicated, our pupils have been involved in all other aspects of school life, including taking on well-being initiatives, sports and leadership positions.”

The highest performer was the school's chess champion and cricketer, Henry Fliss.

Henry Fliss was the top performer at his school in GCSE exams where he achieved eight Grade 9s and one Grade 8. Photo: Brighton College Dubai

“I got eight Grade 9s and one 8, and I’m especially proud of my Further Maths and History grades,” he said.

“I worked hard for them, having been doing four-hour revision sessions for History on Fridays, and doing every extra paper for Further Maths that has been available.

“The teachers helped me a lot and I'm so glad my hard work has paid off.”

More than three quarters of entries at the school were awarded Grade 6 to Grade 9, which is classed as outstanding, according to the KHDA framework.

Exam success

Pupils at Dubai British School Jumeirah Park enjoyed a 100 per cent pass rate in this year's exams.

“On average, our students achieved over one grade higher than predicted against their target grade, which is a testament to their hard work and determination,” said head teacher Rebecca Coulter.

“We have seen a significant increase in the number of Grade 9s awarded this year, compared to previous years, and we are delighted that over 30 per cent of our students have achieved the highest grades in their subjects.”

Also celebrating success on Thursday morning was the British School Al Khubairat (BSAK).

About one in five pupils there obtained a Grade 9 score, while just under 40 per cent of all exams taken were awarded Grade 8 or Grade 9.

“I am incredibly proud of their achievements and they deserve their success and more,” said Nigel Davis, head of secondary at the school.

“Thanks must be given to our outstanding teaching staff, our parents and the wider community for the way they have supported the students.”

Pupils at the school were only too happy to talk to The National about their performances in this year’s exams.

“I'm very, very grateful to my teachers who have given me consistent support and I'm also very thankful to my parents for being there for me during all the ups and downs,” said Maya Telang.

“I plan to study Maths, Biology, Chemistry and Physics at A Level with the possibility of also pursuing my favourite subject, which is Further Maths.”

Her schoolmate Kyle Glatley was also celebrating success on Thursday morning.

“I got eight Grade 9s and one Grade 8. I’m very happy,” he said.

“There was a lot of hard work behind the scenes but it was well worth it in the end.”

Making the grade

The overall number of pupils who obtained a Grade 9 increased to 16 per cent this year, from 9 per cent last year.

More than 3,600 pupils from 23 Gems schools in the UAE and Qatar sat more than 24,000 GCSEs/IGCSEs this year.

In the Gems network of schools, 7 per cent of all pupils obtained the highest mark possible, Grade 9.

“Today’s GCSE results round off what has undoubtedly been an excellent school exam season over the summer, despite the various challenges that all schools and pupils across the globe have had to navigate,” said Dr Saima Rana, chief education officer with Gems Education.

“We are incredibly proud of everything our students and teachers have accomplished and look forward to further success to come.”

At Gems Cambridge International Private School Sharjah, 17 per cent achieved Grade 9 results in the school's first GCSE group.

“These are our first ever GCSE results and they demonstrate the hard work of our students and staff, not only over the last two years, but also all the way back to when the students first joined our school,” said Albie Huyser, principal and chief executive.

“Our academic and pastoral support and guidance ensured that our students were fully prepared and are now able to take the next steps in their lives, whether that be further education, apprenticeships or employment.”

One of the school's pupils who received nine Grade 9 results said she felt relieved at her performance in this year's exams.

“I feel very grateful and thankful for my teachers and parents, and everyone who supported me and very excited and relieved to get these results,” said 15-year-old Snehal Thakkar.

According to her mother Vijaylaymi Thakkar, Snehal “gave up her mobile phone and stopped all entertainment” as she prepared for her exams.

Pupils at Bateen World Academy, Abu Dhabi, achieved an overall pass rate of 88 per cent, with 14 per cent achieving the prestigious Grade 9 result.

“We are immensely proud to announce the exceptional GCSE results achieved by our students,” said Neal Dilk, head teacher of Bateen World Academy.

“Their unwavering dedication and commitment to academic excellence have yielded outstanding outcomes that reflect both their individual efforts and the supportive environment fostered within our institution.

“These remarkable results not only showcase their hard work, but also inspire us as educators to continue nurturing and empowering the next generation of achievers."