Talented pupils are first class
EXAM SPECIAL
Students who have juggled high academic achievements with other talents were among those to celebrate top marks at one Washington school.
Around 215 pupils from St Robert’s of Newminster Catholic School in Biddick Lane collected their GCSE results last month.
Headteacher Dean Juric hailed the “fantastic” results.
Among the school’s best performing students was Matthew Phillips, from Castletown, who gained 9s in maths and English language, an 8 in English literature, A*s in geography, RE, chemistry, PE and further maths and As in biology, French and physics.
He is to return to the school’s sixth form to study A-levels in maths, further maths, physics and PE.
In addition to his studies, Matthew is preparing to head to Rotterdam, where he will complete in the under 20s GB triathlon team.
Grace Curtis, from Houghton, was another student to gain a 9 in her English and maths results, along with A*s in history, science, French and PE, with a B in art.
She is also staying on at the school’s sixth form to take A-levels in history, physics and maths.
James Zahra, from Blackfell, also got a 9 in his maths, with another top grade in further maths, an 8 in English and A*s in history, geography, RE and additional science, with As in science, IT and French.
He has his eye on a career in engineering and plans to study maths, further maths, physics and chemistry.
Emmet O’Leary, from Fatfield, gained 9s in maths, both English subjects and A*s in computer science, geography, RE, biology, chemistry, physics, French and further maths – the same results gained by fellow student Alexander Moorhouse.
Emmet plans to take maths, history and politics at sixth form and is aiming to study philosophy, politics and economics at university.
Anna Fairbairn, from Seaburn, is heading to Newcastle Sixth Form to take physics, chemistry, maths and further maths.
Sunderland Harrier Eve Quinn, from Moorside, got a 9 in both English subjects, a 7 maths, A*s in history, geography and RE, and As in biology, chemistry, physics and French.
She will return to the school to take English literature, geography and history.
She recently helped her senior woman’s team from her club win silver in the Northern 5k Championship, which was held on Silksworth.
A Wearside school marked a “day of celebration” on GCSE results day.
Biddick Hall Academy saw 240 16-year-olds pick up their grades, with 65 % of them picking up a new-style grading of 4 or above in English, 67% in maths and 55 % in both subjects.
Results in the English Baccalaureate, which brings together English, maths, science, history or geography and a language, stood at 26 %, compared to 18% last year.
Headteacher Paul Cowen said: “From our point of view, with the change in grades, we have noticed a increase in results for our young people.
“We are absolutely delighted to celebrate our results today and I’m so proud of our staff and the work that they and the students have put into this attainment.
“We’ve worked on our core subjects of English, maths, science, history and geography and we’ve seen an increase in those subjects in the school and we’re waiting to see what happens nationally.
“The results are a real testament to everybody’s hard work and we’re really proud of them.”
Matthew Cresswell, of Fatfield, was among those to pick up his results, with a 9 in maths and English literature, an 8 in English language, A* in further maths, As in computer science, ICT, chemistry and physics, a B in biology and geography and a C in humanities, with a distinction * in the European Computer Driving Licence (ECDR).
He will be heading to St Robert’s to take English language, maths and further maths at A-level with a view to getting into university to take a maths degree.
Roan Lyall, from Teal Farm, also got the top mark in maths, with an 8 in English language, 7 in English literature and A*s in biology, chemistry, physics and geography, an A in further maths, Bs in history and French and a distinction * in the ECDR.
He hopes to become a vet or a doctor and plans to take chemistry, biology, physics and maths at A-level.
The partnership between teachers and learners was hailed as the key to success by Oxclose Academy.