Exceptional English results at HC

Harrison College students have achieved an outstanding pass rate of over 99 per cent in their English Language Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) exams, defying expectations of the school’s largest-ever cohort, said Principal Kaylene Kellman-Holder.

She unveiled these impressive results at the Crumpton Street school’s Speech Day and Prize-Giving Ceremony this week highlighting the dedication of both students and staff.

Despite having almost 300 students sit the exam, two-thirds of them gained Grade I.

“Commendation is also given to the English Department, which secured a 99.6 per cent pass rate in English ‘A’ despite having the largest cohort in the history of Harrison College, with 261 students in fifth and fourth form writing the examination, and with 173 of these—66 per cent—gaining Grade Ones.”

Kellman-Holder noted that these achievements were particularly commendable despite the absence of an English teacher for about six weeks. “The teachers within that department rallied to maintain the standards to which we have all grown accustomed.”

She stressed that there were still areas in need of improvement when they considered students’ potential. “These subjects I speak of are those which record pass rates lower than 80 per cent. Through careful analysis of the factors impacting performance, every effort will be made to remedy those in need of improvement and to maintain those areas that are performing optimally.”

She also highlighted shortcomings in the internal exam results, citing full promotion for first-formers to second-form, while several second-, third-, and fourth-form students were required to repeat their year level.

The principal expressed concern that some students might lack the necessary foundation to progress.

“We want all students to be able to perform at the maximum level of their ability,” she said. “Consequently, measures are being implemented to address this.”

Kellman-Holder revealed that only seven out of 22 subjects had 100 per cent passes. “This represents a decline when compared to the 13 in 2023 and the nine in 2022. However, the mean pass rate increased to 89.6 per cent compared to 87.4 per cent obtained in both 2022 and 2023.”

The principal also commended other consistently high-performing subjects, including Music, Physical Education, and Technical Drawing, all of which maintained 100 per cent pass rates for the past five years or more.

She also celebrated broader academic achievements, with Harrison College achieving a remarkable increase in the number of Barbados Scholarships and Exhibitions awarded, rising from 15 in 2023 to 18 this year.

The school also earned eight placements on the regional merit list for the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE), four of which were first-place rankings.

(LG)