New principal ‘very happy’
The new boss at Grindon Hall Christian School said she was “very, very happy” with the students’ GCSE results.
Principal Joanne Maw takes over the reins in September but was present yesterday to see students pick up their reuslts.
She said: “The results have gone incredibly well compared to last year. I am very, very happy.”
Top-performing students included Ellie Rylance, who celebrated securing 5 A*s in biology, business studies, French, history, and Latin, a Grade 8 and a Grade 9 in English literature and language respectively, two Grade As in chemistry and physics and a Grade 7 in maths.
Lucy Fernandez triumphed in English securing two Grade 9s in English language and English literature and is off to St Robert of Newminster to study A-levels.
“I am over the moon,” said Lucy, from Seaburn.
“I don’t really know what I want to do – I haven’t a clue. I have changed my mind lots of different times.”
Emma Smith, from Middle Herrington, secured a Grade 9 in English language, Grade 8 in English literature, Grade 7 in maths, 6 A grades in biology, chemistry, physics, business studies, geography and history, and a B in art and design.
“It’s amazing – I am buzzing,” said Emma, who is going on to sixth form college to study English, classical civilisation and film studies.
Max Vardy gained 3 A*s for chemistry, business studies and history, Grade 8s in maths and English language, four As in further maths, biology, physics and geography and Grade 5 for English literature.
He said: “I thought the English results would be the other way round – I was very surprised to see them like that.”
There was a bumper set of results for boys at St Aidan’s Catholic Academy, in Ashbrooke, where 74% of pupils achieved grade 4 or above, the equivalent of a C in English and maths – up from 66% last year. A total of 48% got grades of 5 or above.
Headteacher Kevin Shepherd said: “The results show that our students are getting higher grades after all the work they have put in.
“We are just buzzing for the staff too, who have worked really hard.”
Callum Hutchinson, 16, got one 9, two 8s, three A* grades and three As and now plans to study economics, maths and history at A-level.
TJ Smith is heading to Durham Sixth Form after getting three 9s, one A* and three As.
And Kieran Cooperwaite, 16, who got a mixture of A*, As and Bs, now plans to study maths, biology and chemistry at A-level before studying pharmacy at university.