GCSE results day 2022: Lancaster and Morecambe teenagers celebrate

Students from Ripley St Thomas CE Academy in Lancaster are celebrating another successful year.

More than 250 students received their results this morning, with more than 20 per cent achieving top marks of Grade 7 or above, an increase from previous years, and more than 80% achieving a pass equivalent of Grade 4 or above.

Ripley St Thomas is part of The Bay Learning Trust community of schools, which also includes Morecambe Bay Academy, Carnforth High School and Central Lancaster High School.

For some students, they were able to achieve a raft of excellent results. Anna Thwaytes secured top success, receiving Grade 9 results in all nine subjects she took, while fellow student Nell Williams achieved eight Grade 9 results and one Grade 7.

Zofia Kowalska, Giselle Tang, Boaz Hughes, Daniel McKimmie, Isabelle Stanton and Joshua Ellis also received six Grade 9s.

Principal Catherine Walmsley said: “We are incredibly proud of this cohort of Year 11 pupils who have achieved very well at GCSE this year.

“They approached their exams with great determination after a disrupted couple of years and their hard work has paid off. Many have faced personal challenges and we are particularly proud of how well they have done and the resilience they have shown.

“I would also like to thank our staff at Ripley and our parents for guiding and supporting our young people so well. We send our congratulations to all our Year 11s and we wish them every success in their next steps.”

Students from Central Lancaster High School in Lancaster are also celebrating, with the school’s result showing marked improvement in pupil progress.

Particular student successes include top results and significant progress from a range of pupils including Andrea Pasztor, Marlon O’Farrell, Priya Bradley, Runyararo Haiza, Scarlett Hodgson, Bobby Horn, Jason Pearson and Ashleigh Parkinson.

Principal John Cowper said: “We are delighted by the many successes of our pupils as they receive their GCSE results today. The year group have worked incredibly hard over the last two years and should be rightly proud of their achievements. Overall, we have seen very pleasing improvements in our outcomes.

“I would like to thank all staff who have supported our pupils over the past five years, particularly through the challenges of the pandemic. We are also incredibly grateful for the support of parents and carers. Working together, as a school community, all our pupils are now able to access the next stage of their education be that at a local sixth form, college or apprenticeship and we all wish them all well for their future.”

Today’s results are another important step for the Crag Road school, where a £8m new school building started construction this summer, with a new state of the art science and technology block set to open in January, and an additional classroom block to be completed by September 2023.

Lancaster Girls’ Grammar School Year 11 students have achieved a very pleasing set of GCSE Results.

Assistant head David Green said: “Despite the challenges of the last two and a half years this fantastic year group, who impressed their teachers throughout their time in school, can feel incredibly pleased with all they have achieved.

"The headline results are well over half of grades at grades 8 and 9 (57%) and over three quarters of grades (76%) at grades 7 to 9.

“There are many individual success stories including those students who faced ill health but still achieved 10 GCSEs, similarly a number who coped with difficult personal circumstances yet gained excellent results due to their hard work and commitment. There was also some exceptional performance with 10 students gaining nine or more GCSEs at the highest grade 9.

“It has been a real pleasure to work with this group of students throughout Key Stage 4. Their commitment to their studies has produced results that the students can be immensely proud of. Well done Year 11 and good luck with the next stage of your educational journey.”

Head Jackie Cahalin added: “Well done to our Year 11 students as they celebrate their success today. We look forward to welcoming many of them back to the Sixth Form at LGGS. Thank you to the LGGS staff for their hard work and commitment, and to all the LGGS parents for their unfailing support.”

Pupils from Lancaster Royal Grammar School are celebrating excellent results in their GCSEs.

Almost two-thirds (63.2%) of all exams were graded 9 to 7, 41% were grade 8 or 9 (the old A* grades) and 22% gained the very top grade 9s. Twelve pupils achieved Grade 9 in eight or more subjects, including with five with nine Grade 9s and one with all Grade 9s.

Headmaster Dr Chris Pyle said: “These were the first set of GCSE exams since 2019, and this year group has achieved very impressive grades despite disruption and periods of remote learning during their GCSEs.

“They are a fabulous year group and it has been a privilege to see them thriving both in the classroom and beyond it. There are numerous individual success stories behind the headline grades. Some pupils have come through significant personal challenges to achieve really pleasing results. I want to give particular mention to some of our overseas boarders who dealt brilliantly with isolation and uncertainty.

“Today is a day for celebration for our pupils. I am grateful to all of our staff who have supported them to these achievements. I look forward to seeing these students go from strength to strength in their A-levels and beyond.”

Our Lady’s Catholic College is pleased to report some outstanding achievements by its students in their GCSE and other level 2 qualifications this summer.

As well as all students succeeding in their exams despite the challenge the pandemic has presented, the school is particularly proud of the following students who have done exceptionally well in gaining an excellent set of grades: Zoe Bailey, Lucy Bracken, Natalie Gee, Ruby Ginger, Paige Horner, Georgina Mills, Maisy Rogers, Mia Soriano, Tomas Valencia and Joseph Wolff.

Helen Seddon, the college’s headteacher, said: “We are immensely proud of all the work and achievements of our students, especially after such a difficult two years.

"Our teachers have worked tirelessly with the students and with the support of their families have ensured success this year.

"Our outgoing Year 11 students are all able to progress onto further education and study, and we look forward to seeing many of them again in September as they re-join us for sixth form at Our Lady’s.

"We wish all our students the best of luck for a happy and successful future.”

192 students received their GCSE results at Morecambe Bay Academy, with the results showing tremendous progress for the pupils.

For some students, they were able to achieve a raft of excellent results. Ellie Knowles achieved five Grade 9 results, as well as two Grade 8s, two Grade 7s and a D* (Distinction Starred). For Lucy Bunce, her successful results also saw her attain one Grade 9, supplemented by Grades 8 and 7.

Principal Gavin Gomersall said: “After two years of difficult times, we are delighted that our pupils have overcome these adversities to achieve a delightful set of outcomes.

“These positive results show the progress that we have been able to make as a school and the impact that our teaching and learning has had on our students in helping them grow and improve through a quality education. We’re proud of our students and the young adults they are becoming as they move on to further education, apprenticeships or employment and I wish them the best on behalf of the school and local community.

“We give thanks for the hard work and collaboration of pupils, parents and staff in helping these our children gain these results which ensures that they have a good foundation to continue in sixth form, college or apprenticeships.”

Bay Leadership Academy in Heysham is celebrating after its pupils overcame the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic to complete their GCSEs.

Sitting exams for the first time since 2019, pupils have valiantly overcome two years of disruption to their education, following periods of lockdowns, self-isolation and illness.

Staff and parents have today been celebrating with pupils at the school as they progress onto the next stage of their education or training.

Pupil Maddison Grattan is on cloud nine after achieving the top grade of 9 in English Language, along with a grade 8 in English Literature and grade 7s in Science and History amongst her results.

Despite facing additional personal challenges over the last few years due to illness, Maddison excelled in her exams, which her teachers say is testament to her dedication, hard work and commitment.

Maddison has accepted a place at Lancaster Girls’ Grammar School to study A-levels in English literature, history and biology.

Extending her gratitude to the school, Maddison said: “Thank you to all the amazing staff at Bay Leadership Academy who put so much effort to help me achieve the grades I wanted. I really appreciate my time at the school and all the wonderful staff.”

Another exceptional pupil is Lena Giles, who achieved four grade 8s in science, English literature, English language and history, with a grade 7 in maths, as well as a Level 2 Distinction in performing arts and Level 2 Distinction* health and social care. She is going to study performing arts at Kendal College next year.

Lena said: “GCSEs were an absolute rollercoaster, but without the support from Bay Leadership Academy, I would not be here today. I never would have expected to get four grade 8s, and have the confidence to move forward to college studying my dream course. Thank you so much!”

Jack Edmondson has demonstrated the value of hard work, commitment and dedication by achieving grade 8s in maths, English language and science, with grade 7s in his other subjects. He is going to Lancaster and Morecambe College to continue his studies in engineering.

Jack said: “I have loved my time at Bay Leadership Academy and the care and teaching that the staff have provided me with.”

Principal Lee Waring said: “With everything that they have had to overcome in their last few years of secondary school education, I am extremely proud of our pupils for their resilience.

“They have worked extremely hard and I have seen this dedication with my own eyes; these results are a great reward for this commitment.

“One of our STAR values is Ambition, and so many have aimed extremely high to try and achieve the best outcome possible, and I’m delighted to hear that so many have reached these lofty goals.

“Congratulations to all of our pupils, and my thanks go to our wonderful staff and supportive parents and carers who have helped them achieve so much.”

At Dallam School, head Rachael Williams said: “Cumbrian schools are proud to serve our children, their families and the communities they come from. Over the last two years due to the Covid-19 pandemic this, for sustained periods, has been a trying time for both students and staff.

"The achievements of the students are all the more special given the challenges they faced while studying over the last two years. We congratulate them all on the manner in which they have coped in these quite extraordinary times.

“The majority of students will be pleased with their results and will have the keys to go onto to their anticipated destinations in September. Their results reflect their hard work, their dedication and the support they received from their teachers and families.

“The adaptations to the exam series this year has allowed for the students to take their exams in a manner as close to a normal year as possible. Whilst these changes were not always ideal, the students should be rightly proud of their grades and should in no way think they are diminished by the small number of changes they were afforded.

“It is only right that we recognise that the variability in how students and schools were affected by Covid19 means that any meaningful comparison between schools is simply inappropriate. It is for this reason that we would caution against such comparisons and instead encourage everyone to focus on the success of our SEstudents and celebrate their achievements as individuals with their own story to tell.

“We congratulate all the young people on their achievements today and wish them all every success in the future.

“Our students, the children of our wonderful county and schools are also more than the sum of their grades and so today we want to celebrate the individuals who have shone for all sorts of reasons.”

Pleasing results were achieved by many including pupils Charlie Allmond achieving 10 top grades including eight Grade 9s, Luke Harrison achieving 10 top grades including five Grade 9s, and Ella Lowe achieving 10 top grades including two Grade 9s.