There were cheers and smiles at St John’s Academy this morning (Thursday) as students celebrated glowing GCSE results.
Around 64 percent of students achieved at least five A* to C grades – considered the traditional measure of success – with ten percent of students achieving at least ten A* or A grades.
Assistant vice principal Dan Rogan said: “The government’s drive now is to recognise the progress that students are making and it measures progress over eight traditional subjects.
“Seventy-five percent of our students have followed this Progress 8 curriculum and on average, across their eight subjects combined, they have achieved three grades higher than expected. This represents excellent progress, for many already very high achieving students.
“As ever, we are delighted by the achievements of all students. We pride ourselves on matching the curriculum to each student’s needs and we enjoy great success in seeing almost all of our students achieve what they need to secure places in our Sixth Form, at college or on apprenticeships.
Budding dentist Sarah Hendry and her friend Ellie Davis were all smiles. Sarah’s seven A*, three A and two B grades assured her a place in St Johns’ sixth form to study biology, chemistry, psychology and maths at A level, while Ellie – with eight A* and four A grades – will be staying on to do A levels in maths, geography, chemistry, and a fourth as-yet-to-be-decided subject.
Katie Kerr was in celebratory mood after receiving three A*, five A and three B grades. She’ll be staying at St John’s to do A levels in English literature, psychology, art and geography, while budding physicist Joe Lindley was ’surprised and delighted’ with his six A* and five A grades. He’ll be staying on to study maths, further maths, physics and chemistry.
Ed McQuaid was celebrating his two A*, five A and four B grades. He’ll be studying Spanish, maths, history and physics at St John’s, while Saskia Allen, who wants to work in international development and sustainability, got two As, six Bs and two Cs, and will be staying on to study geography, environmental studies, biology, and art, along with her friend Felicity Shaw, a budding veterinary nurse who received “a smattering of Bs and Cs”.
Arty Eve Tarring scored four A*s, six As, and a B. She’ll be staying on to study biology, chemistry, art and English, and wants a career in “something sciencey” although she’d like to find a place for her artistic endeavours too.
Friends Celia Mellor and Robyn Davies each gained ten A* and two A grades. Celia, who wants to work in science, will be studying biology, chemistry, physics and maths at St John’s, while forensic science hopeful Robyn will be studying biology, chemistry, history and psychology. And budding lawyer Sophie Doyle, who received six A*s, four As and a C, will be studying philosophy and ethics, government and politics, English literature, and history.
Rebecca Slade – who fancies a career as a vet – was pleased with her three B and six C grades. She’ll be staying at St John’s to study biology, psychology, health and social care, and classics, while her friend Alannah Stoker, who wants to be a veterinary nurse, got four C, three B and two E grades – enough to win her a place at Lackham College.
Smiling for the camera were photographers Isabelle Kearley and Amelia West. Isabelle was pleased with her three B, six C and one D grades. She’ll be staying on at St John’s to study photography, textiles and psychology at A level, along with Amelia, whose three Bs, four Cs, a D and an F will see her studying photography, psychology, food and history.
Other high-achievers included Ruthie Bentley (8 A*s, 4 As), Luke Davies (9 A*s, 3 As), Stella Filipiak (10A*s, 2 As), Angus Hitchmough (9A*s, 3As), Charlie Hole (7A*s, 4As), Katie Milsom (9A*s, 1A) and Maya Stock (9A*s, 3As.)
“Success is hard earned and we thank the students for their determination, their parents for the support they give and our staff for their inspiration and professionalism,” said Mr Rogan.