a-mazing achievements for GCSE youngsters
AFTER weeks of waiting students across the borough were relieved to finally hear the news of those all important GCSE results.
As ever there was a mixed bag of results, but several schools across the borough reported record or improved grades across the board.
MOUNT CARMEL
Pupils and staff at Mount Carmel High School are celebrating ‘significant improvements’ in top GCSE grades.
Sixty per cent of all pupils achieved at least five A* to C grades, with 44 per cent of those including maths and English.
Charlie Walsh, 16, from Accrington, got As in drama and religious education and seven Bs.
He will now study A Levels in psychology, Eng- lish, sociology and drama at St Christopher’s High School in Accrington.
He said: “All my targets were Bs so I’m really happy to get two As. I prepared for the exam. They were hard but if you revise then you are all right.
“Last night and this morning were very nerveracking. Other than that I’ve not really thought about the exams.”
Ellie Brennan, 16, from Accrington, achieved A*s in religious education and history, six As and two Bs.
She will now study A Levels in biology, chemistry, psychology and religious education at St Christopher’s.
She said: “My history grade was a lot better than I expected but the rest were what I hoped for. It’s been very nerve-racking and I didn’t get any sleep at all last night.”
Amy Battrick, 16, from Accrington, achieved five As, two Bs and a distinction star in dance and will now study A Levels at Burnley College.
She said: “I’m really happy with that. I wasn’t expecting to get an A in maths. I worked hard for it and did a lot of revision.
“I didn’t think about the GCSEs until yesterday and then it was really scary. I went out with my friends yesterday and we were all talking about it.
“I’m not sure which A Levels I’m going to do yet. Most of my friends are going to Burnley College. It should be great.”
Harry Darlington, 16, from Accrington, got A*s in ICT and design technology, three Bs and two Cs and will now study ICT at Blackburn College.
He said: “I’m really happy that I passed everything and it sets me up for what I want to do. I’ve not really been thinking about the exams, I’ve been con- centrating more on where I’m going next and I was confident I had passed everything. The last year at school has been really good. I’ve made some good friends here and I’m going to miss it.”
Aaron McKean, 16, from Accrington, achieved Bs in catering and French and five Cs. The aspiring paramedic will now study an applied science BTEC at Burnley College before either going on a paramedic university course or learning through St John’s Ambulance.
He said: “I didn’t expect to pass everything, especially English as that’s not my strong suit. I’m really happy. When everyone was doing six hours at school, I was staying behind every night for another two hours. It’s great that all the hard work has paid off.
“The exams didn’t really bother me until last night and I couldn’t get to sleep. It finally hit me that they were coming up.”
Michal Brzostek, 16, from Oswaldtwistle, achieved A*s in maths, science and religious education, two As and two Bs.
He will now go on to Cardinal Newman College in Preston to study A Levels in maths, physics, further maths and computer science. He said: “I’m pleased as they were around what I was expecting. I’m really happy with my A* in science. I thought some of the exams were quite challenging but I’m glad I got the results I did. All the herd work paid off in the end. I’m definitely going to want to go to university after college and will probably study maths.”
Lily Ryan, 16, from Oswaldtwistle, achieved an A* in religious education, four Bs and two Cs and will now study performing arts at Preston College.
The budding actress played the title role of Annie in the school production earlier this summer and previously played the role of Scarecrow in The Wizard of Oz.
She said: “My results are better than I expected, particularly English and music. I’m hoping to be on the stage in the future.”
Olivia Duffy, 16, from Oswaldtwistle, achieved an A in drama, a dance merit, a B and six Cs.
She will now study A Levels in English, drama and religious education at Burnley College.
Olivia, who wants to be an RE teacher, said: “I’m absolutely buzzing. They were better than I expected. I thought I would get a G in French. I have been feeling sick with nerves the last few days but now I’m really happy and excited.”
Jin Zhu, 16, from Accrington, got four A*s in maths, religious education, additional science and French, two As and a B. He said: “I was expecting worse - just As and Bs and not any A*s - so I’m really happy.”
Jin will now study A Levels in computer science, psychology, maths and physics at St Christopher’s High School.
Head boy Michael Threlfall, 16, from, Oswaldtwistle, achieved