Courtesy https://www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk/

Udarna Jayawardena puts her success down to the support of her teachers at Stroud High School

A Gloucestershire school has praised a Sri Lankan student who has been in the UK for less than a year for her ‘amazing’ GCSE grades. Udarna Jayawardena, of Stroud High School (SHS), achieved nine grade 9s – some of which in subjects that she had never studied before.

Udarna relocated from Sri Lanka with her family last September. She puts her success down to the support of her teachers at SHS, which included extra individual study sessions.

In a statement, the school said: “We are very proud of Udarna and her hard work. Udarna is moving on to study History, Geography, Economics and French A Levels at Stroud High Sixth Form.”

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Over 97 per cent of all grades at SHS were grade 9-5, with over half of all grades either 9 or 8. Around a third of all students achieved 9 grades between 9-7, while just short of two thirds achieved 7 or more grades 7-9.

Mark McShane, Headteacher at Stroud High School, added that other than the outstanding academic results, the year group has excelled in sport, music and drama, and STEM projects. Many students also completed the Duke of Edinburgh Award, taking part in volunteering and expeditions.

Mr McShane said: “The mixture of nervousness and excitement was palpable this morning as students came to collect their GCSE grades. After the most bizarre two years, we have all made it through with completed courses and super grades..

He added: “They have managed all of this despite bubbles and home learning, masks and testing. They had achieved so much before they even opened their envelopes this morning.”

The Headteacher went on to thank the staff at Stroud High School. He applauded their work throughout the difficulties of the pandemic.