RECRUITMENT

Celebrating GCSE results with Catholic Schools around the UK

St Richard Reynolds Catholic College, Twickenham

As with our A Level Results last week, we are delighted with the outcomes for our Year 11 students this summer.  Their teachers and support staff have worked incredibly hard to support them and we are grateful too, for the support of their parents and carers who are major partners in this success story.

It is important to remember that grading standards have returned to a similar pattern to 2019 meaning that the number achieving the top grades have reduced in comparison to last year which was in turn a reduction on the previous year.  These changes were driven by the unique circumstances of the pandemic, and the glide back to 2019 standards is part of a return to normality.  However this could feel like a bitter pill to many as they also suffered disruption during the pandemic and those in disadvantaged circumstances were adversely affected in particular.

Our focus, as always, remains on supporting our students to progress to the next stage of their lives, whether that be in higher education, work-based training or employment.  That said, almost 60% of our grades were A*-B, with well over 80% of all grades at C and above.  Amongst a number of notable individual performances, Alice McCarthy attained A*s in Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry and will continue her studies in the United States at Princeton University.  Fifteen students each attained at least three A levels at A or A*.

Almost three quarters of our Year 11 attained at least a grade 5 in both English and Mathematics with 90% attaining at least a grade 4.  Amongst a number of notable individual performances, Liliana Tokarska attained 10 GCSEs at grade 9 with Darcey Potter and Oliwier Korniak gained 9 grade 9s and a grade 8.  Teagan Hartney, Nicole Redemann, Lydia Saccomani attained 10 GCSE grades 9 or 8.  These, and other students’ grades may well change after any challenges to the marking process we may seek.

  Richard Burke, Principal, said “As with all of our students, their success is always a result of many factors, not least the dedication and hard work of our staff who day in day out create a loving, challenging and inspiring culture based predominantly on the positive relationships they develop with all around them.  We also highly value and appreciate the support of our parents and carers, acknowledging and highlighting this priceless partnership that helps to generate  consistently strong outcomes for young people.”

LOVE  LISTEN  CHALLENGE  INSPIRE

St Bonaventure's, Forest Gate

St. Bonaventure’s, a Catholic boys’ secondary school in London’s Forest Gate, is delighted to announce brilliant performance in the GCSE examinations, surpassing last year’s results, especially in English, Maths, Science and RE. This remarkable achievement is a testament to the commitment, tenacity, and exceptional instruction provided within the school.

Headteacher Chris McCormack expressed his satisfaction with this year’s GCSE results: “Well done to our students on achieving a great set of results. Their time in school has been unique as we all faced challenging times in education with the pandemic. Working together with our staff, our students have never wavered in their commitment to their studies. They deserve all their successes after all the hard work they have put in over the past few years.”

The results show continued improvement – not just from 2019 but year on year for the last 6 years. 84% of students received a Good Pass in English and Maths (4+). 69% of students received a Strong Pass in English and Maths (5+). 32.5% of students received 9-7 grades and 71.9% received 9-5 grades; this has increased by 9.5% and 13.9% respectively, since 2019. Our attainment 8 is our highest ever. The strong results in a wide range of subject areas reflect the broad and balanced, holistic education that St Bonaventure’s delivers.

“I think that the education at St Bon’s is top-notch, all the teachers really care what you get and push you to get the high grades.” –  Ify. He received  two 9s, one 8 and five 7s.

“I feel relieved and proud of my GCSE results. Big shoutout to my parents for being my biggest cheerleaders and my teachers for believing in me even when I doubted myself. This is just the beginning, and I’m excited to see what the future holds.” Khyle. He received six 9s, one 7 and one 6.

Head of Year 11, Mr Hayes was impressed by the hard work and perseverance of the students throughout the academic year, “It has been a pleasure working with this group of students. Their commitment to their studies has been first class and they fully deserve everything they have achieved. I am super proud of all of them!”

St Bonaventure School acknowledges and appreciates the invaluable contributions of its dedicated teachers and staff, who consistently go above and beyond to provide an exceptionally well-rounded education that empowers students to excel academically, embrace their passions, and make a positive impact as good citizens in the community. Additionally, the school administration extends gratitude to the parents and families whose support has been instrumental in fostering an environment conducive to academic excellence.

 St Bonaventure’s is a voluntary-aided Catholic Secondary School in Forest Gate for boys aged 11–16 and for boys and girls aged 16-18 in the Sixth Form.

For more information visit – https://www.stbons.org/

Picture: courtesy Merito Marketing/Cardinal Pole Catholic School

St James Catholic High School, Barnet

Despite it being the case (and widely reported in the media) that results nationally have been revised down from last year, to continue the process of bringing results back in line with pre-pandemic levels, Anthony Ellul, Headteacher, is delighted to report that results at St James’ have improved from those achieved in 2022.

“For a cohort that has missed over half of an academic year of in school teaching due to Covid, this is a fantastic effort and is testament to both our pupils’ hard work and also the expertise and dedication of our outstanding staff.” Said Anthony.

“We are very pleased with these results, however we absolutely recognise that not every pupil has met the key threshold of a 4+ in English and Maths. While almost 75% of our pupils have met this threshold, not all have, and as a Catholic school we are committed to continue to support these pupils. We will be welcoming many of them back into our Sixth Form in September where they will be able to access the appropriate post 16 programme of study.”

Head of Year 11, Mr John Knibb, said “It’s been an absolute pleasure and honour to see our Year 11 students develop not only academically, but also into respectable young adults. Regardless of whichever path you take after your GCSEs, St James’ will always be here as a helping hand and a stepping stone to your favoured endeavours.”

“We are delighted that all of the hard work our Year 11 pupils put into their studies has paid off. We are so proud of them and we look forward to seeing what they can achieve with us in our Sixth Form,” said Sara Magee, Senior Assistant Headteacher

St James’ continues to be rated ‘Good’ by OFSTED with an Outstanding Section 48 report from the Diocese of Westminster.

https://www.st-james.barnet.sch.uk/

Cardinal Pole Catholic School Hackney

Cardinal Pole Catholic School, in Hackney, is thrilled to announce another set of excellent results achieved by its students in this year’s GCSE examinations.
 
This impressive outcome is a testament to the students’ perseverance, hard work, and the excellent support provided by the school’s leadership and teaching staff. This achievement comes as another significant milestone for the school, following its impressive set of results in A-Levels last week, and the well-deserved shortlisting for the Secondary School of the Year in the 2023 TES Awards.
 
Headteacher, Adam Hall, extended congratulations to the school’s students for their GCSE results, stating: ‘I am extraordinarily proud of our students. They have worked exceptionally hard throughout the year, and they’ve risen to the challenge with great resilience and a focused desire to succeed. I wish every one of our students the very best for their futures’.
 
Students at Cardinal Pole have achieved outstanding grades across various subjects. Key statistics are as follows:
 
● English grades remained impressive with 80% of students securing a 4+ and 70% securing this in Maths. 68% students secured this measure in both Maths and English.
● The breadth and strength of our curriculum was once again demonstrated with outstanding results in our Art, 3D Design and Drama classes, each achieving 89%, 88% and 76% 4+ respectively.
● Results this year showed some exceptional individual performances with 25 students being awarded Grade 9s. Particular mention should go to Mollie Hoyle who achieved 7 Grade 9s and Leo Muhibzada who achieved 6 Grade 9s alongside 3 Grade 8s.
● Numerous departments secured the top grades for their students with a quarter of RE students achieving Grades 7-9. This was also achieved by 20% of English students and 19% of both Science and French.
 
The Students were delighted with their results, including Mollie Hoyle who stands among the highest-achieving students with (7 grade 9s) expressed her joy regarding her results by stating: “I worked hard for my GCSE exams, but I couldn’t have done it without the incredible teachers at Cardinal Pole. Their constant support and additional help made all the difference.”
 
Leo Muhibzada, another accomplished student with mainly 9 and 8 grades said, “I am extremely happy with my GCSE results! It hasn’t been the easiest year. but Cardinal Pole provided me with the tools and resources I needed to excel. The teachers went the extra mile to support me, and I am truly grateful for their unwavering dedication.”
 
Lola Alabi, Head of Year 11, was delighted with the student results, commenting: “I am elated by the results of our students. The standard in which students perform truly reflects their work ethic and dedication to their academic success. Grades do not define them however, I am extremely proud of what they have achieved.”
 

The remarkable achievements in the GCSE examinations highlight Cardinal Pole Catholic School’s dedication to offering a well-rounded education that empowers students to excel academically and guides them on a path to opportunity, aspiration, and reward, founded on Catholic values.

 

Our Lady's Catholic High School, Hackney

Students at Our Lady’s Catholic High School, in Hackney are celebrating an outstanding achievement, as they have surpassed the GCSE results of 2019 and 2022, and setting new high standards for academic excellence. This remarkable accomplishment is a testament to the unwavering dedication and support of the school’s compassionate and talented staff, as well as the relentless hard work of students. 

Andy English, Headteacher expressed his delight at the students’ achievements, describing the outcomes as a reflection of their resilience providing an affirmation of Ofsted’s view that our students achieve well and that this is reflected in their examinations results. 

 

Impressively, 70% of all grades were at grade 5 or above with nearly a quarter of all grades reaching grade 7 or higher. Other notable results include 36% of students secured at least one grade 7 or higher. 84% of students secured grade 4 or above in English, and three-quarters of our students achieved grade 4+ plus in maths. 

 

There were also fantastic outcomes across the range of subjects: RE 75% grade 4 and above, History 76% grade 5 and above and French 83% securing grade 4 or above with nearly 30% achieving grade 7 or above. Madame Robinson, Head of Languages, is especially proud of Juanita and Alessia who both achieved 9 in French. Le français, c’est facile! 

 

Reflecting on these outstanding results, Virginia Lopes, Head of Year 11 at Our Lady’s Catholic High School, expressed her excitement and pride, stating, “The anticipation has been building, and today we finally have the privilege to celebrate the great achievements of our students. Their hard work, dedication, and relentless pursuit of excellence have paid off in the most 

exceptional way imaginable. As the Head of Year, I am immensely proud to congratulate each and every student on their results.” 

Student Amy, who stands among the highest-achieving students with 6 grade 9 passes and 2 grade 8 passes, expressed her joy regarding her results by stating: “I am really happy with my results. I hope I can do well in the future.” 

 

Crina Lisa, another accomplished student with grade 9 & and 8 passes, said: “The results have exceeded my expectations! I am grateful for the unwavering support of my teachers at Our Lady’s Catholic High School. My hard work really helped me achieve these results.” 

 

Established in 1904, Our Lady’s Catholic High School is well known for upholding high standards. The school’s exceptional teaching, emphasis on positive relationships, and cultivation of a culture of ambitious goals have contributed to its esteemed reputation. This approach has empowered students to strive for excellence in their academic pursuits. 

 

The School has upheld its ‘Good’ rating from OFSTED. The 2023 report highlighted the students’ commendable achievements, clearly reflected in their examination results. 

 

 https://www.ourladys.hackney.sch.uk/

Celebrating A Level results with Catholic Schools around the UK

St James' Sixth Form achieve an amazing set of results

Mr Ponsonby Patryk

St. James’ Catholic High School, in Colindale, is delighted to announce the outstanding Post-16 results achieved by its students this academic year 2022-2023. These results stand as a testament to the dedication and concerted efforts exhibited by the students, who have gone above and beyond to attain remarkable outcomes.

Throughout the academic year, St. James’ students have worked extremely hard, supported and guided by a group of experienced and dedicated teachers. Their efforts have truly paid off, culminating in outstanding achievements that reflect the determination to succeed.

Headteacher, Anthony Elull was quoted as saying: “I’m really pleased with our results, our top grades at A Level match those achieved last year, which were our best ever. This is despite the reported reduction in the number of top grades awarded this year.

Our vocational results have continued to improve and again are the best achieved historically, with over half of pupils achieving the top Distinction, or Distinction*.

St James’ students secured an amazing 26.2% of A*- A grades, 56.7% of A*- B grades, 86.6% of A*- C grades, and 98.8% of A*- E grades. St James’ Sixth Form has achieved remarkable results, well done to all pupils and staff. Consequently, 25% of students from St James’ have secured their places at Russell Group universities, including one pupil choosing Cambridge University.

Congratulations to all the students at St James’ for achieving these outstanding results.”

“I’m relieved and so pleased to get these incredible results. It was a challenging experience taking these exams, not having sat formal GCSE exams during the pandemic. I’ve worked so hard to achieve my A*AA. I’m excited to take up my place at Cambridge University to study Architecture.” ~ Nicole

“I’m so happy with my results, A*AA. All my hard work has paid off. I’ve received amazing support and encouragement from my teachers here at St James’, especially Mr Ponsonby, Head of Year 13. I’m off to Leeds University to study Philosophy, Politics and Economics.” ~ Patryk

Head of Sixth Form, Mr Alex Aldridge ~ “What a year it has been! We are so proud of all our pupils who have completed their Post-16 study at St James’. All have worked so hard to live out our school mission statement and have truly been a symbol of living their life to the full. These results are a testament to their hard work and dedication. We wish all our pupils the very best in their next stage of education, work and life. They know that there will always be a place for them to come back to, as they are as much a part of our community now, as they were when they joined us. Lastly, to all our pupils who have left us this year, please take heed of this quote from Mother Theresa of Calcutta: “We cannot all do great things, but we can do small things with great love.” God Bless you all.”

Guided by the mission statement, “I have come that they may have life and have it to the full” (John 10:10), St James Catholic High School remains committed to fostering holistic development among its students, so they can reach their full potential, have integrity as a person and have a strong personal vision for adult life.

St James’ is a mixed, voluntary aided Catholic Secondary School in Colindale for pupils aged 11–18.

For more information visit – https://www.st-james.barnet.sch.uk/

 

Celebrations at Sacred Heart High School, Newcastle for A Level results

A Level students were celebrating when they realised their hard work had been rewarded with some outstanding results.

 The sixth formers at Sacred Heart Catholic High School achieved impressive grades, with one student receiving four A*s and many attaining combinations of A*s and As to secure places at prestigious universities across the country.

Clare Aspray, who was awarded four A*s, will now read Theology and Religion at Jesus College, Cambridge. “I am so so happy with my results,” she said. “It’s incredible – and a bit of a relief too!”

She follows in the footsteps of her two older sisters, who also attended Sacred Heart. “I’ve really loved it, and my sisters did too – we’ve all been there,” she continued. “I have to say how wonderful the teachers at Sacred Heart have been. All my teachers have been just so supportive and wonderful.”

Other high achievers at the school, a member of the Bishop Bewick Catholic Education Trust, include Samira Banna, with two A*s and an A, and Anne Price, who received A*AA.

“I’m really pleased I did so well,” said Samira, who will study Chemistry at Manchester. “I was really surprised – but the reason is that I had such good teachers.”

“It was so good at Sacred Heart,” agreed Anne, who will be studying medicine at Newcastle. “All the staff were so supportive – it’s been such a smooth experience.

“But I didn’t expect to do as well as I did. It was just pure shock!”

The school also had great success with its vocational courses, with many achieving the highest Distinction* grade, and students winning apprenticeships with Hatrick, Newcastle United, Accenture, Dental Nursing and Project Choice.

“The results this year are exceptionally good and are testament to the commitment of our girls and the teachers who taught them,” said Head Teacher Suzanne Howell.

“Huge congratulations to all of our Year 13 students, who have shown incredible resilience, working so hard over the past two years.

“As a year group, you were unable to sit your GCSE examinations in 2021, and so this summer’s exams are the first external assessments you have ever taken, which makes your achievements ever more special. 

“You are all exceptional, inspiring, and talented young women, and we couldn’t be more pleased or proud of you.”

https://www.sacredheart-high.org/

Cardinal Pole Sixth Form celebrates excellent A Level results

Cardinal Pole Catholic School, in Hackney, celebrated another exceptional A-Level examination results, continuing to uphold its outstanding track record of academic excellence. The entire school community takes great pride in this remarkable achievement, which reflects the dedication and hard work of students and the extraordinary support from their teachers.

Cardinal Pole has continued to see students excel at its outstanding Sixth Form this year with 100% of students passing their post-16 studies. Adam Hall, Headteacher, celebrated with students saying, “Once again our students have shown extraordinary resilience, determination, and academic excellence in the first full set of public exams since 2019. These results are a testament to the hard work of our students and staff who have been united in preparing our young people for the next steps in their education.”

Nearly three-quarters of students achieved grades A*-C in their final GCE exams this Summer and more than a third of students secured the top grades of A*-B. There was particular success in Further Maths, our largest cohort in this subject ever, with two students, Lekan Akinwale and Matthew Michael, securing A* in both their Maths and Further Maths exams. Other exceptional results were seen by Abigail Lestrade who achieved three A grades and Jessica Ogunkoya, Doris Mbakwe and Sinem Saglam who all secured AAB.

Cardinal Pole saw equally strong results in our L3 qualifications where 100% of students achieved Merits or above in all areas. In CTEC Business, Akinloluwa Kayode attained D*D*D*, which was matched by Delina Araya and Milan Francis in CTEC Health & Social Care. As a result of these, and many other, exceptional performances, our strong tradition of Cardinal Pole alumni attending some of the best universities in the country and abroad has been continued with students securing places at UCL, Nottingham University and the University of Cambridge.

“I would like to say thank you to all my subject teachers and the pastoral team for all their help and support over the last 2 years.” – Abigail Lestrade, ABB, Cambridge, Land Economy.

“Thank you to Miss Braithwaite and McNaye for all your support, you helped push me to secure the grades I received.” – Jada Odoi, CTEC Business, 3 Distinctions, Aston University

Head of Sixth Form, Mr Read said, “Congratulations to our Year 13 students for their exceptional results and the exciting paths they are embarking on, choosing universities, apprenticeships, and internships that align with their aspirations. Teaching them has been a true delight, I am confident that they will achieve remarkable heights.”

Cardinal Pole School extends its heartfelt congratulations to all the students for their exceptional achievements and wishes them every success in their future studies and careers. The school remains dedicated to fostering a thriving educational environment that nurtures academic excellence, personal growth, and the development of well-rounded individuals ready to make a positive impact in the community.

https://www.cardinalpole.co.uk/

Our Lady's Catholic High School Hackney students secure top University places

This year’s A-level and vocational results have once again showcased our students’ dedication, hard work and commitment and the support of their teacher.

Thirty-eight percent of grades were A*-A or equivalent, 51% A*-B grades or equivalent. These strong outcomes have earned most students places at their first-choice universities including the prestigious Russell Group and other top universities.

Performances in 3D Design and Spanish were particularly outstanding each securing 100% of the A*-B grades. Performances in vocational courses such as Business (100% of Distinction*-Merit), ICT and Health and Social Care remain strong.

Mr Andy English, Headteacher, expressed heartfelt congratulations to the teachers and students for their unwavering dedication. He added. “Our students’ success is a testament to their hard work and the support of our talented teachers.”

Our Lady’s Catholic High School firmly believes in nurturing the potential of every student, providing them with a well-rounded education that extends beyond academics. The remarkable results achieved by the students exemplify the school’s commitment to truly pursue excellence.

Head of Sixth Form, Mr Bailey, also commented, “This year’s group are a force to be reckoned with; unwavering spirits coupled with a sense of humour and real compassion. They are exemplary students and these brilliant results are so very well-deserved. I hope that they stay in touch and that we can celebrate their continued successes well into their chosen pathways.”

The School has maintained its ‘Good’ rating from OFSTED, as recognised in the 2023 report. The report emphasised the students’ commendable achievements, which are clearly reflected in their examination results.

https://www.ourladys.hackney.sch.uk/

Celebrations at the Sacred Heart Academy Sefton celebrating success

Sacred Heart Catholic Academy in Sefton is celebrating another successful A-level results day.

The school achieved an A-Level pass rate of 97%, with almost 40% securing the highest A* – B grades.

All students are going on to university, training or employment destinations, with many securing places at the UK’s leading universities including Oxford University, University of Liverpool and University of Manchester where they will study a range of courses from Medicine to Cyber Security.

Headteacher, Mark O’Hagan, said: “We are delighted that so many Sacred Heart students have achieved so highly. We are particularly pleased to see the overall pass rate improve to 97%. The number of students achieving the top grades of A*-B has reached almost 40% in a year when fewer top grades have been awarded across the country.”

One of the most excited students, Chloe, was overjoyed to have achieved an A in RE, A in Psychology and B in History. She is now off to Oxford University to study History.

Chloe said: “I’m so happy and thankful to the school for all their support! I couldn’t believe it when I got the email confirming my place at Oxford University, but I can’t wait for October!

Mr Baker, Chloe’s Dad further added: “Very proud and thankful to school for all the teaching and support given to Chloe, from her first day in Year 7, until the end of Year 13. This result shows everyone can aim for the stars and reach their goals!”

Among the happy students were:

  • Emily was pleased to have achieved an A in Biology, A in Chemistry and an A in Maths. She will now go on to study Dentistry at the Newcastle University.
  • Lara achieved a Distinction* in Business Studies, a Distinction* in Digital Media and a Distinction* in Sport and will be heading off to university to study IT/Cyber Security.
  • Eva was elated to have secured her place at Lancaster University to study Medicine after achieving an A in Biology, B in Chemistry and an A in Maths. Similarly, Eve has secured her place at University of Liverpool to study English after receiving her Distinction*, 2 Bs and a C.
  • Niamh’s 3 Bs in Biology, Chemistry and Maths will allow her to study Maths and Accountancy at Newcastle University. 
  • Anton, John and Shea have all secured their choice of university after collectively gaining 2 Distinction*s, 3 As, 3 Bs and a C. 
  • Ava who plans to study Child Psychology at Liverpool Hope University after achieving an A in Criminology, Distinction* in Health and Social and a C in Psychology.

Mark O’Hagan added: “The A-Level results today, are testament to the students’ dedication and hard-working attitude, the high quality of teaching here at Sacred Heart and the outstanding individual support we offer all students to reach their potential.”

https://www.sacredheartcatholicacademy.org/

Students at Saint Benedict, Derby are celebrating their A-level results

Mrs Boyce, Headteacher at Saint Benedict Voluntary Academy, Derby, congratulated everyone on their results.

She said: “We have seen an increase in the number of A*-B grades compared to the results of 2019, which was the last cohort to sit full examinations. Results in Chemistry, English, Sociology and History are particularly strong. Our students have performed exceedingly well in vocational subjects with 80 per cent of all students being awarded a Distinction. We would like to congratulate all of our students and thank the staff who have supported them. We wish everyone the very best for the future.”

Mrs Peden, Head of Sixth Form at Saint Benedict, said everyone should feel proud of what they have achieved.

She said: “As a team, we are so proud of our Year 13s and everything they have achieved today. Across the board – in A-Levels, Applied and Technical courses – students have exceeded our expectations, with many moving forwards onto Higher Education or Degree Apprenticeships. It has been a tough road for this cohort, considering the picture of the last two years, but they have shown consistent resilience and drive to achieve their dreams and be who God meant them to be. I’m so happy for all of them. This has been a very special year group to lead – we are going to miss them so much.”

Maisie Litherland, 18, achieved an A* in Religious Studies and As in History and English Literature. She is off to the University of Warwick to study History.

She said: “I logged on to UCAS before I came in but I couldn’t get in so I was in limbo until I got the email to say I had been accepted at Warwick.

“It was such a relief and when I saw my results I literally wanted to cry. I think as a cohort we have all been through so much as we didn’t sit our GCSEs. These were the first formal exams that we have sat since SATs so I think everyone has done amazingly well.”

Tabitha White, 18, will be going on to study Film at Falmouth University after achieving Bs in Geography and Art and Design and a C in Design Engineering.

She said: “There aren’t many universities that offer Film as a degree and I only applied to two places which is a bit risky. I got the email at 8am to say I’d got into Falmouth which is where I wanted to go.”

Elijah Tumelty, 18, was celebrating three As in Maths, Physics and Computer Science. He is going to the University of Newcastle to study Cybersecurity.

He said: “I got the email at 8am to say that I’d got into uni and I was ecstatic. I was very happy as I needed A, A, B. When I saw that I’d got three As I was very shocked. My mum was with me and she was really happy. I rang my dad and got him out of a meeting and he was happy too.”

Jonah Macrae, 18, achieved an A* in Maths and As in Computer Science and Physics. He is going on to study Computer Science at the University of Nottingham.

He said: “I woke up at 7.30am and when I got the email saying I’d got into uni I was very happy. That took a lot of the pressure off and I didn’t care too much about my results but when I saw them I was really pleased.”

Anum Irfan, 18, is going on to study Pharmacy at the University of Nottingham after achieving Bs in Biology, Chemistry and English Literature.

She said: “I was checking the UCAS website from 8am, constantly refreshing my screen and then I got the email to say I’d got into uni. I felt really relieved, it was very nerve-wracking. I had managed to switch off a bit after the exams but it started to hit me again in August and particularly when I walked into school.”

Christopher Godwin achieved three As in Maths, Physics and Computer Science. He is two weeks into an apprenticeship in Edinburgh with a software engineering firm which creates software for the emergency services.

He said: “I’m really happy with my results. I wanted A, A, A although it didn’t affect what I will do next because I had an unconditional offer. I applied to 40 companies and had the offer from the company in Edinburgh, each application took about two hours so I was really pleased to get the offer. I didn’t want to go to university because of the debt. I’m really enjoying the apprenticeship, it’s good and Edinburgh is a great city.”

Josh O’Dell, 18, achieved a D in Geography, a C in Biology and a B in Chemistry. He is going to the University of Derby to study Professional Policing.

He said: “I have always wanted to be in the police and I was happy to get what I needed to get onto the course. I knew I had got in before coming to collect my results so that took the pressure off. I woke up at 6.30am and could log on to UCAS at 8am but because there were so many people logging on I didn’t find out until 8.20am that I’d got in.”

https://www.stbenedictderby.srscmat.co.uk/

St Benedict's, Ealing – Nine students have achieved straight A* grades

Nine students have achieved straight A* grades in at least 3 subjects, including Eleanor Bowden (English Literature, History and Sociology), Thomas Gordon (Mathematics, Further Mathematics and Physics), and Alice Jenkins (Biology, Chemistry and Mathematics) – all of whom are taking up places at Cambridge University. A further 11 students achieved straight A*/A in at least 3 subjects. The majority of St Benedict’s students will now be heading off to a top 30 UK university, very many to their first-choice institution.

Headmaster, Andrew Johnson, said: “I am hugely proud that St Benedict’s A Level students have worked so hard and have achieved excellent results across the whole range of subjects. They could not have achieved all this without the dedicated and excellent support of their teachers. These results continue the strong upward trend in public exam results at St Benedict’s: the proportion of A* grades (16.3%), and the proportion of A*-B grades (77%) are the best ever achieved in a year when the full A level grading standards have been applied.

Results were strong across all subjects, and were particularly impressive this year in Art & Design (83.3% A*-A), Chemistry (50% A*-A), Geography (48.3% A*-A) and History (47.6% A*-A).

https://www.stbenedicts.org.uk/

St Bonaventure’s East Ham once again achieved academic excellence with their best ever set of Post-16 exam results

St Bonaventure’s Sixth Form has once again achieved academic excellence with their best ever set of Post-16 exam results, even higher than the last two years of teacher assessed grades. Headteacher, Chris McCormack said, “The jump from GCSEs to Post-16 is not an easy one, especially whilst studying through a pandemic. But with our 6th Formers’ intense focus on their studies and their commitment to achieving their goals, they have secured themselves a brilliant set of results. We are so proud of them and wish them the very best of luck in their future endeavours.”

St Bonaventure’s has achieved 33% A*-A grades, 67% A*-B grades, 90% A*-C grades, 100% A*-E grades. This places St Bonaventure’s Sixth Form in the top 10% of schools in the country. The school has continued to build improvement year on year within the 6th Form and these results reflect that.

Alongside our best ever Science results across all the three disciplines, Biology stood out with 64% of students achieving A*-B, and there were outstanding results in the Humanities including Politics with 64.3% A*-A, Religious Studies with 66.7% A*-A, and Economics with 82.4% A*-B. In BTEC Sport 100% of students achieved at least Distinctions with many Distinctions starred.

Nearly half of our students will be joining Russell Group Universities, and Aaron Lardi-Boakye has secured his place at Cambridge to study Land Economy after receiving A*, A, A grades. A number of students have also elected to undertake degree apprenticeships including those at Morgan Stanley, Accenture & IBM.

Student highlights include Manuel Leye-Huerta who got 3 A*s and an A and will be going to Imperial College London to study Mathematics and Haseeb Rauf got 3 A*s and will be going to Bristol University to study Law. Muhammad Kausar Ahmed, Kobi Concepcion, Kazi Amani Hussain, Kaliyah Ogun, Ethan Suppaya-Palomino all got 2 A*s and 1 A. 

Cambridge-bound Aaron said, “I am absolutely ecstatic. I can’t believe it. None of this would have been possible without the school. The community, the academic approach, the support – it is truly amazing.”

Ethan said, “I’m feeling overwhelmed, but relieved. I am excited about going off to UCL to study Philosophy. I am so incredibly grateful for everything the school has done for me over the last seven years.”

Elsie Mowles, who is off to Southampton to study English, said, “I am absolutely over the moon with my results – it was such a good surprise! I worked hard, and it has paid off. I can’t say thank you enough to my teachers. They have been amazing.”

Farhana Begum said, “I’m feeling so happy. I’m going to Warwick to study International Relations and Politics after getting AAC in my results. I’m so glad I came to St Bon’s – I wouldn’t have done it without the support of the school and teachers.”

Amani Hussain, who is taking up a 4 year apprenticeship at Morgan Stanley, said, “There are no words to describe this feeling. I got 2 A*s and an A. I had a massive support system here at St Bonaventure’s and I am incredibly grateful.”

Director of Sixth Form, Mr Templeman, said “I am so proud of our Year 13s for their discipline and drive to succeed; it has all paid off. Students arrive with a wide range of GCSE grades and with the pastoral care that is offered here, they thrive and feel supported throughout their 6th Form journey. As ever it allows them to fulfil their potential and make the most of their two years with us. I know they will all go off to achieve amazing things. Although in some ways this is the end of their journey here at St Bon’s, they will always be a part of our family and legacy. I wish them all the best and we hope that they come back and visit us soon!”

https://www.stbons.org/

St Joseph’s, Reading lauds students’ hard work on results day

STUDENTS and staff at St Joseph’s, Reading, celebrated a gleaming set of A Level results on Thursday morning.

A third of grades awarded were either an A* or A, with many students achieving better scores than they had first anticipated across a broad range of subjects.

St Joseph’s will now see their leavers head to some of the country’s finest universities, including Cambridge, UCL, Birmingham, Warwick, York, Bath, Southampton and the Royal Academy of Music.

Students will read subjects ranging from mechanical engineering, economics, philosophy, neuroscience, marine biology and international relations.

Izzy Everett, 18, was delighted to receive A*s in drama and her extended project qualification (EPQ), an A in philosophy and a B in English. Her grades will take her to the University of Birmingham, where she will study philosophy.

Izzy added that she actually preferred sitting exams to the coursework element of her assessments, citing the ‘adrenaline rush’ as something she thrives off.

Jai Bahra, 18, is headed to the University of Southampton to read mechanical engineering after picking up an A* in maths, As in physics and chemistry, and also completing an EPQ.

He explained: “Some of the exams were tough, I – and the rest of the country – thought physics was hard, so I’m really relieved and happy with my results.”

Laura Stotesbury, head at St Joseph’s, said: “I want to congratulate Year 13 on achieving these results today. It is remarkable that these students, who have never taken external examinations before and are facing stringent grade boundaries despite disruption to learning, have achieved so much; individually and collectively.

“Only one small part of that achievement will have been captured by the grades they received in results envelopes today. They have worked extremely hard and should be proud of their success – in the exam hall and beyond.

“I wish them the best of luck as they move on to the next stage of their education or into the workforce.

“My heartfelt thanks go to our remarkable staff; they have guided and supported our students over the last two years with unfailing energy, encouragement and enthusiasm.”

https://www.sjcr.org.uk/

A Level celebrations at St Mary's Catholic High School, Newcastle

Newcastle’s Class of 2023 may have been through a pandemic and unprecedented disruption to their studies, but all their hard work paid off with some outstanding A Level results. The Year 13 students at St Mary’s Catholic High School saw 37 per cent of all grades were A* or A, 63 per cent A* – B and 82 per cent A* – C. A group of 23 students achieved three or more A or A* across various subjects.

Students have been highly successful in gaining university places including at Oxford, Cambridge and many other high-achieving and Russell Group Universities, as well as moving on to employment and higher-level apprenticeships.

One of those celebrating is Angelin, who is set to study medicine at the University of Nottingham. “I’m very happy with my results and it was nice to see my time at Sixth Form come to an end on a happy note. I am also very thankful for all the support I received in Sixth Form from pastoral staff and subject teachers,” she said.

Another successful medic, Sarah said: “Making memories was the best part of my time in Sixth Form, I’m looking forward to making more good memories during my time studying medicine at Cardiff. Thank-you to all my family, teachers and friends for the continuous support I certainly wouldn’t have made it without them.

Another success story is Jack who will be studying law at Northumbria University, and said: “I am delighted with grades in my A Levels, it is a worthy reward for both my hard work and constant efforts of the amazing staff at St Mary’s Sixth Form; who will always go the extra mile to help us achieve.

Headteacher Emma Patterson said: “We are very proud of our wonderful students for their exceptional A Level results. The students have demonstrated tremendous commitment and hard work throughout their studies and fully deserve these outstanding results. Our academic A Level and vocational A Level results continue to be significantly above national standards. Students have worked very hard, with a determined approach, and have been richly rewarded for their efforts.

We could not be prouder of our students and we are thrilled to see them progress to a wide range of excellent universities and apprenticeships for the next stage of their education or training. Many thanks also to our superb teaching and support staff team for supporting our students so well and embedding such high-quality teaching and learning at St Mary’s”.

https://stmarysnewcastle.co.uk/

 

Excellent results at Greyfriars, Oxford show "dedication", says Head

All at Greyfriars Catholic School offer congratulations and best wishes to the 2023 cohort of students receiving A Level and vocational qualifications. This cohort has shown great dedication and commitment in overcoming the challenges they’ve faced during their education. They have also made a highly valued contribution to the wider school community, by consistently demonstrating our Greyfriars values of knowledge, care and ambition and we will continue to be immensely proud of them. 

We are pleased that such a high number of students have gained the grades necessary to take up their preferred next steps. This includes a full range of ambitious and exciting university courses, apprenticeships and work placements. We have students going off to do law, engineering, biomedicine, sports, psychology, media and many more courses. Greyfriars students will now spread across the country! Manchester, Warwick, Birmingham, Kings College London, Sussex, Bath and many also staying in Oxford to study at Brookes.

Having been witness to their development into such impressive young adults during their time here, we know that they will flourish and thrive in the studies and careers that they choose to pursue. I personally have enjoyed getting to know them in my time here and know how much they have to offer. 

On behalf of the whole Greyfriars community, we extend our very best wishes to these wonderful young people, who all have such exciting futures ahead of them. We also want them to keep in touch.  We are excited to hear of their adventures and achievements beyond school.

Ms L Caldwell | Headteacher 

Ms K McCabe | Head of 6th Form 

https://www.greyfriarsoxford.org.uk/