STUDENTS have been jumping for joy across Burton and South Derbyshire after celebrating ‘outstanding’ GCSE results.
Despite there being a fall in the proportion of A* to C grades being awarded for the first time since the exams were introduced 24 years ago, de Ferrers Academy, in Stretton, posted their ‘best results ever’ by recording a 92 per cent success rate.
Emily Abel revealed that her mum cried when she phoned to tell her that she had achieved eight A*s, five As and a distinction.
The 16-year-old, from Stretton, said: “When I opened my results I struggled to take it in, I just couldn’t believe it.
“I rang my mum to tell her and she burst into tears — it is such a great day.
“I am now heading to sixth form to study maths, physics, biology and history before hopefully going to university.
“I will be celebrating by going out with friends and for a meal with my family.” The school also saw 72 per cent of students achieve an A* to C in maths and 18 per cent achieved either an A* or A.
Meanwhile, across the other side of the A50 in South Derbyshire, youngsters at John Port School, in Etwall, struggled to contain their emotions as they received their results.
Amy Hudson, of Hilton, was celebrating after opening her envelope to scoop four A*s and six As.
She told the Mail: “I am really over the moon with my results.
“I got my A*s in history, art, science and English literature and I am now going on to study history, English, food technology and psychology at sixth form.
“I hope to go on to university and study to be either a dietician or a primary school teacher.”
Tom Barnett, also of Hilton, landed nine A*s and two As.
He said: “I couldn’t believe it when I opened the envelope and I saw my results.
“I was hoping for good grades but couldn’t believe just how good they were.
“I am really proud of my A* in maths and I am now looking forward to studying biology, chemistry, maths and the environment before hopefully going to study medicine at university.”
Chitwan Sekhon, of Etwall, scooped 10A*s and one A and told the Mail: “To tell the truth, I am bit disappointed with my A but I am now thinking about heading to the sixth form and then university.”
Emotions running high as pupils get their results
SENIOR teachers joined forces to praise pupils as many get ready to start the road to university by taking their A-levels.
De Ferrers Academy principal Steve Allen told the Mail that the results were the schools ‘best ever’.
He said: “I am really happy with the results and it just shows the work put in by everybody from pupils, staff, parents and governors.
“What is also pleasing is not only are pupils getting set to stay in education, around 70 per cent look set to do that with us.
“I’m incredibly proud of all our students and staff today; these outstanding results are the reward for all the hard work and dedication our students have put in over the past two years.”
Students at John Port School were praised for producing some ‘outstanding’ results with 84 per cent gaining a minimum of five A* to C grades Phil Smith, assistant head teacher in charge of exams, said: “We have had some great results yet again and in total 84 per cent of students got five GCSE results A* to C.
“We are seeing a lot of students opting to stay on or at least go on to sixth form education as many hope to eventually going to university.
“It can only be hoped that we continue to get good grades next year and beyond and that all those who move on to A-levels are very successful.”
The number of students at the school gaining five A* to C grades including maths and English was 53 per cent and the proportion of grades at A* and A was 25 per cent.
Head teacher Wendy Sharp said: “These are a good set of results.
“It should be said that we have done very well in terms of A* and As and all the students who have achieved those grades should be praised.
“The school has maintained its reputation for giving all students the opportunity to succeed and these achievements are testimony to the hard work and preparation of students and staff.
“The whole school community is truly proud of this level of performance and, as always, strong support from our parent body is a major factor in our success.”
Reaction round-up
Abbot beyne School Abbot beyne School was ‘thrilled’ to announce that 59 per cent of students achieved five A to C grades including English and maths.
Outstanding students included Elizabeth Heath who gained nine As and four As and Megan Sylvester who achieved eight As and seven As.
Kirsty Allen got six As and 10 As with Sana Ikhlaq awarded five As and 10 As.
Head teacher Annabel Stoddart said “This is a whopping improvement on last year’s 37 per cent, and testament to the grit and determination our whole school community has demonstrated throughout my first year as head teacher to ensure that all students achieved their best.
“In total, 99 per cent of our students gained at least one GCSE and 95 per cent of our students gained five A to G.
“All of our students are to be congratulated on their results and we wish them all the best in the next stage of their learning journey.”
John Taylor High School
YEAR 11 pupils at John Taylor were celebrating after receiving some excellent results.
More than 72 per cent of pupils gained at least five A to C grades including both English and maths.
More than 93 per cent gained five or more A to Cs in their subjects overall, another increase on the last year’s record figure of 90 per cent.
Taimur Anwar, Samuel Crawford, Kathryn Forbes and Rachel Frame were among 13 pupils to gain all of their GCSEs at A or A grade.
Principal Mike Donoghue said: “Yet again, John Taylor has demonstrated that the ability and commitment of pupils, staff, parents, and governors working in partnership, leads to excellent levels of achievement.
“What we have been able to achieve this year is to ensure that while our most able continue to excel at the highest level, our curriculum adjustments and support strategies have enabled greater numbers of pupils to achieve a very good set of results in a broad range of subjects.
“This will ensure that even more of our young people are equipped with the knowledge, skills and experiences to be successful in further study and in a wider world that is increasingly competitive and demanding.
“They, their parents, and our staff are justifiably proud with the achievements of 2012.”
Paget High School
PAGET saw an increase in the number of people gaining five A to C grades.
Eight six per cent achieved the feat, a seven per cent rise compared to 2011, with 57 per cent achieving five A to C including English and maths.
All pupils achieved at least one GCSE and 43 per cent of pupils achieved 10 or more at grades C or above.
Head teacher Don Smith said: “Congratulations to all pupils on another highly successful year.
“All the hard work of pupils and staff has paid off yet again and the support of families has again been a key feature. Well done to everyone.” The school also continued six years of improvement in terms of the number of pupils gaining five A to C grades including maths and English.
Paulet High School
PAULET High School has recorded some of the best GCSE results in the school’s history.
Seventy six per cent of students achieved 5A to C and an impressive 57 per cent achieved five A to C grades including maths and English. The students have smashed all the ambitious targets set for them and are delighted with their success.
Assistant head teacher Neil Tilley said: “The highest performing students were Grace Draper and Jake Mander with both achieving 10 A or As.
“Jake is continuing his studies in our sixth form and Grace has been accepted on an engineering apprenticeship with Rolls- Royce.
“We are extremely proud of our students.”
Blessed Robert Sutton Catholic Sports College
THE head teacher at Blessed Robert Sutton revealed that he was ‘very happy’ with his students’ grades.
Tony Downey said: “We have had really good results here, very happy students and an overall 60+ pass rate.
“It was 79 per cent in A to C and 61 per cent including English and maths.
“Obviously the main controversy is surrounding the marks for English nationally and that has also affected us.
“It is a Government decision and I am disappointed for the really good English teachers and students but hopefully we can rectify this the same time next year.”
Burton and South Derbyshire College
GCSE students at Burton and South Derbyshire College were celebrating after picking up their exam results.
Hopeful GCSE students gathered at the college to open the all-important results envelopes, which contained the culmination of their hard work.
GCSE maths student David Lock said: “I’m really pleased to have passed my maths GCSE. It means I can now progress my career further by taking an electrical engineering course through my job.”
Repton School
FOLLOWING on from last week’s record Alevel results, Repton School is once again celebrating with more than 67.5 per cent of its GCSE pupils awarded an A or A grade.
Four pupils gained 10 As each and one was awarded 11 As.
Head teacher Robert Holroyd said: “Once again our GCSE pupils have excelled in their studies and it is tremendous to see these superb results.
“Congratulations must go to all our GCSE pupils and, of course, to all of our staff who worked so hard to help them secure such strong results. They should all feel very proud of what has been achieved.”
The Pingle School
PUPILS from The Pingle School were congratulated by senior teachers after receiving their GCSE results.
Head teacher Bryan Carr said: “My congratulations go to the students of The Pingle School, who received examination results today.
“I am very proud of our students. I look forward to welcoming many of them back in our sixth form.
“To those who are leaving, I wish every success for your future.” Sixty three per cent achieved at least five A to C grades with 97.3 per cent gaining at least GCSE.
