Students and teachers across the county are celebrating after achieving some of their best ever GCSE results.

Headteachers in Cumbria were all smiles yesterday as they found out the GSCE results their students had achieved.

Today the students will find out their grades for themselves and for many of them, it's looking good.


CARLISLE
Richard Rose Morton Academy, Wigton Road, Carlisle, is celebrating its best ever GSCE results which saw 51 per cent of students gaining at least five A* to C grades, including in English and maths.

Headteacher Des Bird, said: "We're really pleased with the results. It's the best results we've ever had and it's almost across the board.

"We have had improvements on virtually every measure you could think of."

Friends Mia Harkness and Bethany Rutherford were among the first pupils to pick up their results from Caldew School in Dalston this morning.

Mia, of Denton Holme, Carlisle, got seven GCSEs. Mia, 16, said: “I am going to go into sixth form but I will not be able to take what I originally wanted to do because of my results. Some are not as good as I thought they would be.”

Bethany, 16, of Morton, Carlisle, achieved eight GCSE grades C and above. She said: “I am really happy with my B in English language particularly. “I am going to do health and social care and science in sixth form because I hope to go into a medical profession eventually.”


DALSTON
Headteacher of Caldew School in Dalston, Chris McAree, congratulated all the students for leaving with at least five or more passes.

John McAuley, headteacher at Newman Catholic School, Carlisle, said there were some outstanding performances.

“The students can be proud of their achievements," he said.


EGREMONT
Jonathan Johnson, principal at West Lakes Academy in Egremont, said since 2009 when the school turned into an academy, its five A* to C pass rates, including in English and maths, have improved from 27 per cent to 63 per cent this year.

"We have got a record set of results," he said. "More than 20 per cent of all academic grades were either A* or A."

There were concerns that changes to grade boundaries and structural changes to questions and papers would have a negative effect on GCSE results this year.

However, Mr Johnson and other headteachers said thanks to teachers' hard work, the changes had not caused any serious problems.

Mr Johnson said: "We have got students who come to us who deeply value the amount of time, effort and energy that our staff invest in them."

West Lakes Academy pupils were anxiously waiting outside the school building before flooding in to collect their results.

63% of students gained five or more A*-C grades including English and mathematics and 99% achieving one or more A*-G grades. More than one in five of all academic grades received were awarded either an A* or A.

Mr Johnson was keen to congratulate the students, saying: “These results prove that coming to West Lakes Academy gives you the chance to be exceptional. Our staff provide children world-class opportunities, giving them the platform to make their life extraordinary and that they carry this with them all their life.

"There’s nothing more special than days like today when our students receive the reward for their achievements and resilience in making sure every special moment of every day counted. It is a humbling experience to witness.”

Lettie Wareing, of Gosforth, said she was "quite shocked" after gaining nine A*s and two As.

"I was quite hopeful and to be honest, the summer was pretty good because I didn't think about it that much,"said the 16-year-old. "It was more of a feeling of relief after the exams were over."

Joe Mellen, of Beckermet, gained seven A*s, two As, one B and one C.

"They're better than I thought," said the 16-year-old. "Getting it over with was the main thing!"

Laura Mariannou, from Egremont, gained eight A*s and three As.

The 16-year-old said: "I wasn't expecting these results, I thought I'd done terribly and I was preparing for disappointment."


KESWICK
At Keswick School 75 per cent of students achieved five or more A* to C grades including in English and maths. Headteacher Simon Jackson couldn't stop smiling and said the results showed how exceptional Keswick students were.

He said: "We've matched last year's record breaking results which is really outstanding in a climate where these qualifications are getting harder and harder to achieve."

"These results are down to the outstanding efforts of our highly motivated and exceptionally talented students and staff.

"They reflect a happy and ambitious school community where effort and hard work is admired and aspired to."

Arran Horne, 16, from Hesket Newmarket, achieved A*s in German, maths, biology, chemistry, physics and music and an A in English literature, further maths, geography, English language and religious studies.

He said: "I'm really pleased, it's a bit of a surprise. I'm staying on to do A-levels in Keswick but I haven't decided what I'm studying yet. It's going to be a lot of work but I'm looking forward to it.

While Ruth Jennings, 16, was delighted with her three A*s in German, maths and physics, As in religious studies, art and design, biology, chemistry and design and technology, two Bs in English literature and geography and a C in English language.

Ruth, from Kirkland near Ennerdale, will enter the sixth form to study maths, further maths, physics and art.

"I'm pretty happy," she said. "Some of my results are better than I had expected." And Samuel Hignett, 16, from Gilcrux, was celebrating after he got seven A*s in biology, chemistry, physics, English langauge, English literature, history and religious studies.

He also achieved two As in French and maths and a C in drama.

"I didn't expect it whatsoever, I thought I had done so much worse," he said. "I feel pure happiness, I'm just really, really happy."

"I'm going to sixth form now to study English literature, religious studies, history and government and politics. This is such a boost now."

Frizington's Eleanor Saville, 16, achieved seven A*s and six As and will stay on at the sixth form to study biology, chemistry, physics and maths.

Her A*s were in German, maths, chemistry, physics, English language, English literature and Latin while her As came in drama, further maths, history, biology and religious studies.

She said: "I sort of expected to do well but I didn't expect it to be so good. I'm so, so pleased. I'm looking forward to starting sixth form now after having two months off."

Other top performers included Tom Hind, from Keswick, who achieved 10 A* grades and one A grade and Matthew Andrews, of Workington, who finished with eight A*.

Keswick's Finley Sleath recorded seven A*s, Anna Shenton, from Workington, got six and Robert Fryer-Spedding, of Keswick, managed 10 A* to A grades.

Hattie Gomme, from Whitehaven, and Jack McCarthy, from Wigton, also got 10 A* to A grades.


PENRITH
Nigel Pattinson, headteacher at Ullswater Community College in Penrith, was delighted as 66 per cent of students achieved A* to C grades in the basics.

He said: "We have held our ground on previous years' high standards. We're very pleased."


WORKINGTON
At Lillyhall's Energy Coast UTC, 52 per cent of students achieved five A*-C grades including maths and English.

Principal designate Cherry Tingle said the first set of results received were fantastic.

She said: "These results really are superb and a great base for students to start the next phase of their education journey. I look forward to working with these students and others who may wish to join us next year.

“This is the culmination of an enormous effort by staff and students to make West Cumbria's newest educational establishment also one of its most successful and visionary."

Mike Smith OBE, chief executive at Gen2 and chairman of governors at UTC said: "I am really pleased but not surprised that the hard work of staff and students and the great partnership of Gen2 and Lakes College has paid off and resulted in these fantastic results which will give students a passport to take their next steps towards good apprecticeships, further study or employment."

Charlie Minshaw, 16, of Moresby Parks Road, Whitehaven got 3A*s, 5As, 1B and a double distinction star (D*) in civil engineering.

He said: "I've done really well and I'm so pleased with myself, although I did get what I expected to get. I want to go into the construction industry so these are great results."

Ellie Owens, 16, of Stainburn Road, Stainburn, got 1A*, 5As, 1B, 1 distinction * and 1 distinction in engineering.

Ellie said “I've worked really hard for these results and I'm surprised by them, but I did hope I would get them – it's brilliant.

Next year Ellie will start an electrical apprenticeship at Gen2.

Max Sloan, 16, of Hillcrest, Whitehaven, has got 5A*s, an A** in further maths, 1B and a double distinction * (D*) in engineering.

Max said: “I'm absolutely chuffed and we're heading to Solfest now to celebrate."

For Tom Ryan, headteacher of St Joseph's School, it was his last GCSE results day before his retirement.

Fifty-six per cent of students achieved five A*-C grades.

Mr Ryan said: "It's a great feeling, I'm delighted everybody understands exams are getting harder to pass and you need more marks to get an A.

"It's tougher for kids so it's also tougher for parents and staff. When You get a set of results like that you feel delighted for them."

Twins Daniel and Adam Kirkbride, 16, of St Mungo's Close Dearham are pupils.

Daniel got 4A*s, 6As and 1B and Adam got 6A*s, 3As and 1B.

Daniel said: “I'm really pleased and so happy the grades met my expectations. I didn't think that I would get As and Bs in the sciences."

Adam said: "I'm extremely pleased I thought I'd get a B or C in geography it's amazing I'm speechless."

The duo will both study at Cockermouth School sixth form next term.

Jasmine Butterworth, 16, of Hensingham, got 3A*s, 7As.

She said: "I'm incredibly pleased, it's an incredible reward for the hard work and I'm thankful for the support of the teachers.”

She is going on to study at St Benedict's School in Whitehaven.

Nicole Wilson, 16, of Burrow Walks, Northside, got 2A*s, 6As and 2Bs. She said: “I'm very pleased at the results. I didn't think I would pass the sciences so I'm most proud of them."

She is going to do a business apprenticeship at Blue Shadow Marketing in Cockermouth.

Adult education students also collected their results today 81 per cent of students achieved A*-C grade in English, maths and science.

The first GCSE class of Workington Academy picked up their results and headteacher Jonathan Logan said: “We're building on the success of A-levels and there are some really positive stories.

"The students deserve all the credit for all their hard work that they have put in."

Sadie Barnes, 16, of Hawkshead Avenue, Workington, got 7A*s, 2Bs and 2As.

She said: I'm really chuffed a lot of them were better than I expected, maths and science were the stand outs.” Sadie will study at the academy's sixth form next term.

Jessica Humes, 16, of Clifton Court, Workington, got 1A*, 5As, 4Bs and a C. She said: “I'm really pleased, the As in maths exceeded expectations.” she will stay at the academy going into sixth form there.

Will Smith, 16, of Barepot, got 5A*s, 5As and 1B. He said: “I could not have asked for more, I got more than what I expected the 3As in the sciences was massively impressive cos I thought the exams were hard” he is also staying on at the academy sixth form.

Billy Hucknall, 16, of Hazel Grove, Seaton, got 1A, 2Bs, 6Cs and 1E. He said: "I'm in shock at the moment and I've very overwhelmed. I thought physics was difficult and overall I'm really happy."

He is going to stay on at sixth form.


MARYPORT
At Netherhall School, 45 per cent of pupils achieved A*-C with maths and English plus five.

Headteacher David Tromans said: “We're really pleased with the results they have got, we've got more A and A* grades than we have previously.

"It's good progress from last year and broadly in line with what we'd expected in terms of improvement, it's a good movement forward in a relatively short amount of time."

Leah McArdle, 16, of Maryport, got a pass in sport, A, B and 9Cs.

She said: " I'm really happy, I didn't think I was going to get my C in maths. I just couldn't believe it when I looked at the results, I couldn't read it because I had tears in my eyes."

She said she wanted to do something in health and social care, but did not know what yet.

Ashleigh Wilcock, 16, got one A*, two As, eight Bs and a pass in sport.

She said: "I feel so happy, I didn't expect so many Cs. I'm really surprised and a bit overwhelmed and I'm staying on at sixth form."

Holli Coulthard, 16, of Flimby, is staying on at the sixth form in Netherhall.

She said: "I'm chuffed, I honestly didn't expect to do so well and I'm really pleased with my maths." She got eigt As and three Bs and a pass in sport.

Kelly Pearce, 16, of Maryport, is also staying on to do A-levels at Netherhall. She said: "I'm so happy I cried a little bit. I had jitters this morning and was too nervous to come by myself."

She got two A*s, six As and three Bs.


COCKERMOUTH
Headteacher Dr Rob Petrie said: “These results are an increase on last year.

"These results are clear evidence of the further progress that Cockermouth School is making.

"Our students have worked incredibly hard over the last two years and I offer them my congratulations on their successes.

"Many thanks also go to our dedicated staff and parents, who tirelessly supports students throughout their studies.

"There are many excellent results in a range of subjects and we pride ourselves on the broad curriculum available to our students."

Grace So, 17, of Northumberland Street, Workington, got 8A*s and 2As.

Grace only started studying at the school last year after moving here from Malaysia.

She said: “I was sort of expecting to get these results and I feel good.

"I don't have a clue what I want to do when I get older it's a double celebration today as it's my birthday."

Adam Greenbank, 16, of Great Broughton, got 10A*s and in sixth form he will be taking maths, further maths, physics and computing in the future he is hoping to get into computer programming.

He said: “I worked really hard for these results, it was a nice surprise, I'm really happy, I can relax now."

Frances Elisabeth Ulyatt, 16, of Cockermouth, got 5As, 3Bs, 2Cs these are the results that she needed to get into sixth form.

She said: "I am not surprised. In sixth form she will be taking chemistry, drama and maths. To celebrate she is going with a group of friends to coffee kitchen and she is going to go down south to visit her brother in Birmingham."


EGREMONT
Jonathan Johnson, principal at West Lakes Academy in Egremont, said since 2009 when the school turned into an academy, its five A* to C pass rates, including in English and maths, have improved from 27 per cent to 63 per cent this year.

"We have got a record set of results," he said. "More than 20 per cent of all academic grades were either A* or A."

There were concerns that changes to grade boundaries and structural changes to questions and papers would have a negative effect on GCSE results this year.

However, Mr Johnson and other headteachers said thanks to teachers' hard work, the changes had not caused any serious problems.

Mr Johnson said: "We have got students who come to us who deeply value the amount of time, effort and energy that our staff invest in them."

West Lakes Academy pupils were anxiously waiting outside the school building before flooding in to collect their results.

63% of students gained five or more A*-C grades including English and mathematics and 99% achieving one or more A*-G grades. More than one in five of all academic grades received were awarded either an A* or A.

Mr Johnson was keen to congratulate the students, saying: “These results prove that coming to West Lakes Academy gives you the chance to be exceptional. Our staff provide children world-class opportunities, giving them the platform to make their life extraordinary and that they carry this with them all their life.

"There’s nothing more special than days like today when our students receive the reward for their achievements and resilience in making sure every special moment of every day counted. It is a humbling experience to witness.”

Lettie Wareing, of Gosforth, said she was "quite shocked" after gaining nine A*s and two As.

"I was quite hopeful and to be honest, the summer was pretty good because I didn't think about it that much,"said the 16-year-old. "It was more of a feeling of relief after the exams were over."

Joe Mellen, of Beckermet, gained seven A*s, two As, one B and one C.

"They're better than I thought," said the 16-year-old. "Getting it over with was the main thing!"

Laura Mariannou, from Egremont, gained eight A*s and three As.

The the 16-year-old said: "I wasn't expecting these results, I thought I'd done terribly and I was preparing for disappointment."


WHITEHAVEN
St Benedict’s students are celebrating some excellent results today following the publication of their GCSE examination results.

The results show that the proportion of students gaining a grade C or above in English and Maths is 56% compared with 51% last year.

Headteacher, Ian Smith, said, "Our 2016 GCSE results as a whole are up on last year's headline figures but the results are really about individual students.

I would like to pass on my personal congratulations to our students and to wish them well as they take their next steps."

Amy Fox, of Valley Park, Whitehaven, gained six A*s, five As and one B.

The 16-year-old said: "I'm chuffed after all the work I put in. I didn't expect these results at all. I was a bit unsure about how I'd done in some of the exams, like English literature, but I managed to get an A in that."

Megan Smith, of Frizington, gained three A*s, four As and four Bs, and said she was "pleasantly surprised" by her grades.

The 16-year-old said: "I didn't expect this at all. I didn't feel confident after some of the exams so I'm pleasantly surprised."

Callum Morgan, from Hensingham, said he was "absolutely buzzing" after receiving nine passes.

"During the exams I wasn't too nervous, but he two weeks leading up to this have been the worst," said the 16-year-old. "But, it's a good feeling to find out that you've done better than you thought."

Whitehaven Academy, vice-principal Jenny Nimmo said: "I am absolutely delighted in our students who have worked to the best of their potential. It really is a testament to the hard work of the pupils and the staff."

Whitehaven Academy students and good friends, Jasper Lithgow and Cameron Bowskill, achieved 20 A*s between them.

Jasper, 16 from Bransty, was awarded 10 A*s and said: "I wasn't too nervous waiting for my results, but it's been a long wait. It's arduous having to wait months and months to see how you've done.

"I worked exceptionally hard and I'm chuffed because I didn't think I'd do this well."

Jasper wants to study medicine and Cameron is looking to study physics after his A levels.

Ben Massey, from High Street, Whitehaven received six A*s, two As and two Bs.

The 16-year-old said he will study maths, further maths, chemistry and physics for his A levels and said he was "very nervous" in the days leading up to results day.

He added: "The exams were so long ago that I couldn't remember how I'd done in them!"

Chloe Mason, from Hillcrest, gained five As, two Bs and three Cs.

"I didn't know what to expect today," said the 16-year-old who wants to study biology, chemistry, maths and German for her A levels. "But I was quite confident because I had worked so hard. I was still a bit nervous though."


MILLOM
Millom School is this year celebrating its GCSE results with 59% of students achieving five A*-C including English and Maths, which is a significant increase from last year.

Behind this figure are some exceptional individual performances by students.

Top performances by females included Amber Whyte who achieved 9 A* grades and one Distinction*. Saffron Hine, Chloe Pinney, Iona Smith, Katherine Armstrong and Lily Wilford were also amongst a number of high-performing females.

Top performances amongst the males included Stephen Leighton who achieved the best results with one A* grade, three A grades, two B grades and three C grades.

Alfie Sharp and Tom Huddleston also achieved excellent results and are continuing their studies at Millom School Sixth Form.

Headteacher Matt Savidge said, “I am delighted with such a fantastic set of GCSE results, with two thirds of students achieving at least a C grade in both English and Maths.

"It has been a great pleasure working with these students over the last year and they have been rewarded for their commitment and effort. I would like to congratulate all of our students on their individual performances."