Copeland students celebrate GCSE results

It was the first time St Benedict School's pupils were collecting their results from the new base at Campus Whitehaven.

Acting headteacher at the school Steve Bridgman said: “I would like to pay tribute to the results our students have achieved. I am pleased with the results our students have achieved this year as their efforts have been commendable. I should also like to recognise the hard work all the staff put in to help and support our students.

“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.”

St Benedict’s pupil Leo Reed, 16, of Whitehaven, was delighted with his six 8s two 7s a 6 and a B. He's going to study maths biology and chemistry at sixth form.

Fellow pupil Anna Woolaghan,16, of Whitehaven, got two 9s, two 8s, two 7s, a 6, B in further maths and a distinction in performing arts.

She is going to study philosophy and ethics, maths and performing arts at sixth form. Said she was overwhelmed but pleased with how she had done.

And Yzabella Renton, 16, of Whitehaven, got two 9s, two 8s, five 7s and a B.

She said: “I'm really happy with my results."

West Lakes pupil Molly Fearon, 16, of Cleator Moor, got a 9 in her favourite subject - English language. Her mum Joanne said she was really proud of her daughter's hard work and determination to get a 6 in maths and an award for excellence in maths at the end of the year.

Fellow pupil Phoebe Forster, 16, of Egremont took maths, history, biology, chemistry, physics, Spanish, English language and literature and music. She got seven 9s and two 8s. She said: "I've done very nicely." Phoebe wants to do an apprenticeship with the RAF after sixth form.

The school's principal James Jackson said he was "overwhelmed" at the strength of success among his GCSE students this year.

He added: “Once again, I’m overwhelmed by the amazing grades our students have achieved which prove that not only are our students polite, kind and resilient, they are also incredibly academically-driven and hard-working.

“This attitude, alongside our brilliant, talented staff who go above and beyond to help our students, and the supportive, caring environments created by our students’ families, has been key to their success.

“I wish all our students the best of luck in their futures.”

Millom School's headteacher Matt Savidge said: “I am delighted to be celebrating our students' GCSE results. It has been a great pleasure working with these students and they have been rewarded for their commitment and effort. I would like to congratulate all of them on their individual performances. GCSE grades reflect one aspect of a student’s time at school. What they do not show is the personal development which takes place here at Millom School in terms of a student’s character, skills and talents. Thank you to all the staff and governors for their commitment and to the parents, carers and family members for their dedication and support. I look forward to seeing many of our students return to continue their studies with us at Millom School Sixth Form in September.”

At Lakes College, Jake Richardson, 17, of Buttermere, got a 6 in English Languag. He said: "I was only hoping for a 4, so I'm really happy. It's the highest I've got in all my GCSEs. I had a bit of wobble with my mocks, but just worked really hard and I've done it now, so I'm really pleased." He is going back to Lakes College in September to continue Level 2 plumbing.

And fellow pupil Ben McCarten, 17, of Whitehaven, got 4 in English Language. He said: "I'm so happy, I was hoping for a 4. I can just relax now, which is good."

Anna Lister, head of maths and English at the college, said: "They've all got amazing results, some students have gone up by two or three grades, which is brilliant and shows really good progress. I'm unbelievably proud of the effort put in by our students, it means so much to them and it's just lovely to see them all so happy."

Energy Coast UTC’s pupil Jenna Newsham, of Cleator Moor, was pleased to get level 2 distinction in engineering, pass level

2 in construction, English language 5, maths 4, English literature 4 and combined science 4 and 5. She will stay in to do to construction engineering and business.

UTC's principal Cherry Tingle said: “The hard work of the students, the truly inspirational teaching of our staff and the superb links and support with employers has been rewarded with the superb exam performance of our students. Our students have received fantastic academic results as well as superb technical results which will set them up very well for their future studies and careers. On average our students made 2.5 grades progress in the 2 years they are with us – which is exceptional – and the progress which Ofsted recognised as Outstanding."

Duncan Potts, head of Year 11 at Cockermouht school, said: “I am very proud of how well our Year 11 students have worked over the duration of their courses and this has been rewarded by an excellent set of GCSE results.

“Within the overall success of the year group, there are a huge number of individual achievements that we should also recognise; my congratulations go to everyone involved."

Keswick School student Hannah Rumney, of Whitehaven, who achieved nine grade 9s and one grade 8, said: "I’m really happy and surprised with my results and so glad I can carry on to the sixth form here at Keswick school to study biology, maths and chemistry."

Simon Jackson, headteacher at the school, said: "I would like to congratulate the amazing hard work of all our students and staff on achieving these excellent results. It is also important to recognise that success isn’t just measured by exam results and I am equally proud of the wider programme we have that helps develop such confident and highly articulate young people. I look forward to welcoming the vast majority back to start their A-levels in our Sixth Form in September.”