Mercian Trust Students Celebrate GCSE and Level 2 Qualification Success

Over 1,600 students at nine of the twelve schools in The Mercian Trust across Sandwell and Walsall are collecting results of their GCSE and Level 2 Vocational and Technical Qualifications this morning.

Gaining a strong set of these crucial qualifications enables students to move into their choice of fulfilling post-16 destinations including high-quality apprenticeships with local businesses, vocational training at college, or further academic and technical education with us at one of our seven very successful Mercian Trust Sixth Forms.

We are delighted that the vast majority of our students achieved the grades they need to thrive at their preferred destination. We wish those leaving the family of Mercian Trust schools the very best for their futures and we look forward to welcoming back those returning to Sixth Form in September.

This year we were particularly delighted to see a notable increase in the strong grades (GCSE 5-9 and Level 2 Merit & Distinction) being achieved by students in receipt of Free School Meals and SEND support. This impact demonstrates the work of our social mobility mission to increase opportunities and improve outcomes for every student in the communities that we serve across Sandwell and Walsall, no matter what their background and circumstances.

Dan Parkes, CEO of The Mercian Trust, said:

Today is one of my favourite days of the year as we celebrate with more than 1,600 students across our schools who are receiving their exam results. Their hard work and determination is rewarded with these results - they open doors to exciting next steps into further study and employment with high-quality apprenticeship opportunities now available.

The West Midlands really is a great place to live and work - a region full of opportunity – and today's results showcase the hard work, talent, and potential of our young people.

They are exactly the talent we need to help deliver Mayor Richard Parker's vision of more jobs, higher skills and inclusive growth across our region.

A huge Congratulations to every student receiving their results today.