STUDENTS and staff were celebrating at Teesdale School a superb set of GCSE results.
The results come in the first year of more challenging GCSEs across the curriculum that are now graded from 9 to 1.
Despite much discussion nationally about the impact this would have, Teesdale students excelled.
Some 77 top grade 9s were achieved, with 26 of these in English and Maths (above A* under the old system). This equates to 12 per cent of all grades, huge compared to the expected 3.5 per cent of grade 9s nationally.
There were 170 grades at 8 and above – 20 per cent at the old A* equivalent.
A third of all grades were 7 or above – equivalent to the old A grade.
An impressive 59 per cent of students reached grade 5 or above in English and maths, the equivalent of grade C/B under the old grading system.
This is a 10 per cent improvement on last year and 20 per cent above the national average. In all, 77 per cent reached grade 4 or above in English and maths, the old equivalent of C+.
Two students, Jake Knight and Jack Parsons-Munn, swept the board with grade 9s in all subjects, something fewer than 200 students in the entire country are expected to have achieved.
The friends, who both hope one day to go to Cambridge University, were delighted with their results and unanimous in saying “all the hard work has paid off”.
Jack, of Lartington, said his results were “beyond his expectations” and is looking forward to going to Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form in the autumn where he hopes to study biology, chemistry, history and politics at A-level.
Jake, who lives in Barnard Castle, added: “I’m truly amazed. The school has worked really hard to help us and have done really well to get us through the exams.”
The teenager will be remaining at Teesdale School, joining the sixth form where he intends on studying maths, further maths, physics and chemistry.
Two other students, Will Wood and Sam Arundel, achieved eight grade 9s and a grade 8 each.
Both from Staindrop, Will and Sam were relieved and delighted at their results.
Dr Janice Gorlach, executive headteacher and deputy chief executive of Teesdale School’s sponsor, The North East Learning Trust, said: “We could not be more proud of our young people and grateful to their parents for all their tireless support.
“Their results are a testament to their hard work and dedication to study. These results show what is possible with high aspirations together with determination.”
She added: “In a world increasingly dominated by a culture of instant gratification, our students have seen the value of sustained hard work and reaped the rewards.
“There are many, many impressive results but particularly special are the achievements of Tristan Fletcher, Imogen Crossley, Eleanor Morris, Ethan Rawlins, Eleanor Kipling and Josh Rayner who exceeded national projections for progress between the start of secondary school and their GCSE exams by an average of two whole grades.
“These results, on top of the excellent A level grades last week, show that Teesdale is well on its way to being an outstanding school that is raising the aspirations of students and helping them fulfill their potential.”
