Teenagers across Derby and Derbyshire are celebrating today after collecting their GCSE results as they now look to the future.
The national average in England, Wales and Northern Ireland has seen 68.2% of grades marked at 6/C and above and we visited several schools in the city and county to speak with staff and students, and to find out about their next steps.
Derby Grammar School
From top results in sciences to stand out musicians, Derby Grammar School was celebrating its students’ achievements, both academic and personal, as they collected their GCSE results.
Among the fantastic overall results for the school of 40% of students earning grades 9 to 7, were many huge personal achievements.
Howard, 17, only moved to England from Hong Kong a year ago but he studied hard to achieve a 9 in Cantonese, 4 in English and 6 in Maths.
“It was quite difficult coming to England and a hard choice to make and lots of study and work but I am pleased,” he said.
Celebrating two Grade 9s and four Grade 8s among his impressive results was Yuyao.
He is looking to study economics and maths and has also earned a Music Scholarship to Derby Grammar School where he will also study Music A-level.
“The science subjects weren’t too bad for me and I felt like they had gone well so now I’m going to study my A levels here,” said the 16-year-old who plays violin. He has just achieved distinction at Grade 8 – the highest grade – in the instrument. Yuyao will also now be going to the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester every Saturday to study with them after being accepted to the programme.
Mum Nicole said: “These grades were better than expected and he now has lots of options so we are very proud.”
Roj also excelled in his science subjects, getting 9s in his Chemistry, Biology and Physics exams as well as two Grade 8s.
Mum Sanaria said: “He worked very hard for these results and obviously we are going back to national exams judged at the levels before the pandemic when not long ago it was teacher assessments, so it has been difficult. I’m really proud of him.”
Adam, 16, collected his results aged 16 today, having studied at Derby Grammar since he was seven years old. He collected Grades 6s and 7s across all his subjects.
Dad Andrew said: “He has done consistently well across all his subjects and results so we are really proud and pleased for him.”
There were also some early collectors of their GCSEs with Year 9 students Julian and Karamjit both earning Grade 8 in their language subjects of German and Panjabi respectively.
Karamjit, 14, said: “It did feel quite strange being in the exam hall with pupils older than me put I am pleased I’ve done it and now I can focus on starting my other GCSE subjects.”
Landau Forte student Manjod, 15, also sat his A-level Panjabi at Derby Grammar School.
Overall 40% of pupils earned Grade 9 to 7 and 66% Grade 9 to 6.
Head teacher Paul Logan said: “Congratulations to all our pupils on their GCSE results. They performed so well, especially as they were the last year to be directly impacted by the pandemic during their GCSE courses. This year pupils did not benefit from the more lenient grading as recent years did.
“I would like to pay tribute to their hard work and resilience over the last two years, and to the huge amounts of support given by our dedicated teachers and parents. These results show the success of our small class sizes and treating each pupil as an individual, as well as the benefits of continuity of education. Many joined Derby Grammar School in Primary School, and we look forward to welcoming them to the 6th Form.”
Allestree Woodlands
Results at Allestree Woodlands School have increased on pre-pandemic standards with 73% of students achieving grade 4 or higher in both English and maths and 52% of pupils securing at least a grade 5 in both subjects.
The broader achievement of students in other subjects is also reflected in 69% of the cohort achieving at least 5 GCSE passes, including English and maths, at grade 4 or higher.
In sciences, results are also up with 76% of our Y 11 achieving the government benchmark of two passes and 57% securing at least two grade 5s in sciences. We are immensely proud of the hard work that has gone into making these achievements possible.
Sixteen-year-old Emily Simpson was delighted with six grade 9s, three grade 8s and one grade 7 and particularly pleased with an 8 in computer science which she taught herself with the aid of YouTube videos.
Emily, who plans to sit A-Levels in maths, further maths, physics and design technology, said: “I wanted to do 10 GCSE subjects so I decided to self-teach computing at home. I didn’t have tutor, I just used text books and lots of YouTube videos so I am pretty pleased to have got an 8.”
Emily was thrilled to share her success with fellow pupil Rafa Travis – the pair walked to school together every day – who got eight grade 9s and a grade 8.
Rafa, 16, said: “I’m going to stay at the school for sixth form and do A-Levels in maths, further maths, physics and politics. I’m really pleased with my results but I’m keeping my options open as to what I do long term.”
Head teacher Gemma Penny said: “We are really delighted with how our year 11 students have performed this year with increases in attainment secured in a year where grade boundaries have been tightened up and exams have returned to pre-pandemic standards.
“Students have been attending additional sessions throughout their GCSE programme to build their knowledge and confidence following the period of disruption to their learning when they were in key stage 3.
“Their efforts and those of staff have paid off and now open doors to post 16 study and apprenticeships for them. As usual, we have our team on standby to support students on taking the right next steps now that they have results in their hands.
“But we’d like to congratulate all our students who are reaping the rewards of their hard work and wish them every success in the future whatever their paths.”
The Bemrose School
THE HEADTEACHER of a Derby school has said he is ‘extremely proud’ of pupils celebrating their GCSE results.
The Bemrose School, in Uttoxeter Road, is an Ofsted judged GOOD all through school for pupils aged 3 to 19, from nursery to a successfully growing Sixth form.
Executive head teacher Neil Wilkinson said: “We are very pleased with this year’s results which are an improvement on our 2022 results across the board. In particular, our English results at a pass or higher have improved dramatically. We have seen the vast majority of subject results improve to beyond that of 2019 which we are very proud of.
“We know we are in the shadow of COVID and moving swiftly to normality and wish these pupils all the best and success in their future.”
Careers Lead, Claire Amos said: “Our students have exceeded their personal expectations and are now on their way to a new destination, with smiles on their faces and a results that they deserve. We wish them every success in their journeys going forward, as they embark on a positive and happy future.”
Arnold Lapiz, father of 16-year-old Mary Lapiz beamed with pride at his daughter’s results. Having moved here last year from the Philippines, with Tagalog being Mary’s first language, they were both particularly proud of her 7 in English among her other impressive grades. Mary hopes to continue her studies at Sixth Form to eventually become an anaesthetist.
Arnold Said: “I am so so proud of her, in our tradition we study in candlelight and many times Mary has burnt her eyebrows through her hard work and determination.”
Aziz Jan, 16, said how much he will miss his teachers and is so grateful to Mr Wood who teaches him biology, Miss Wood – chemistry, Mr Sleigh – physics and Mr Papuga – maths, after achieving 9’s in all those subjects. Aziz will be going on to Derby College to study biology, chemistry, physics and maths with ambitions of one day becoming a doctor.
Daisy Adams, 16, will be going on to study English literature, film studies and art at Derby College to further pursue her passion for English and maths.
She said: “I am so excited to move up to college, especially as my friends are also going there, but I am going to miss all my teachers so much.”
Aaishah Qureshi, 16, was keen to get home to her family, especially her grandad to show him her impressive results on his birthday. Continuing her studies at The Bemrose School, she hopes to study combined science, health & social Care and child development with the dream of one day working in healthcare or child development.
Aishah said: “I can’t wait to get home to show my family, my uncles and grandparents are sat at home with my family waiting. My grandad will think these results are the best birthday gift.”
Tahera Asif, 16, plans to go on to study chemistry, biology and maths at Littleover Sixth Form, to one day work in medicine – hopefully aimed at Paediatric Care.
She said “I have found maths really difficult, so I am really proud of achieving an 8 in that subject. I hope to one day work in medicine helping people or work in paediatrics.”
The Long Eaton School
Students at The Long Eaton School are looking forward to taking the next step in their lives after picking up their GCSE results today.
Among the top-achieving students at the school, in Thoresby Road, was River Cottrell, whose line-up of results included Grade 8s in history, English Literature and English Language and who will now enter the school’s Sixth Form to study English, history and art at A Level.
She said: “I’m really relieved with my results. It has been stressful and we hadn’t really done exams before now, and when we heard in the news that the marking was going to be harsher than in previous years I was worried.”
Another student now looking forward to making their next move in their education is Lucas Cocker, 16, who is now heading to Confetti Institute of Creative Technologies to study music performance, after picking up a host of GCSEs including a nine in music.
He said: “We missed a lot of learning in Year 8 because of COVID and I didn’t learn much in that year because it was hard studying via a screen but I’m happy with my results, especially in music.
“I love playing my guitar and I want to work in music, maybe as a teacher or a session musician.”
His friend, Rosie Millward, 16, meanwhile, is heading to Derby College to study T Level engineering after picking up her results, which included sevens in maths and Spanish.
“I was really nervous last night because I was worried that I didn’t do very well, but I’ve got what I need. I’m proud of myself, because I worked the hardest I could during my revision.”
Katie Vradi, 16, is another student who is now looking at a new chapter, having got the grades she needs to go up into the school’s Sixth Form, where she will study psychology, health and social care and RE.
What made her achievements, which includes a Grade Six in English Language, more remarkable is that she moved to the UK at the age of 11 from her native Cyprus and so has only been speaking English for seven years.
She said: “I feel like I have done my best at my GCSEs, especially since I moved countries when I was 11 and had to learn English just before we moved here.
“I was worried about how I’ve done but I’m happy with my results.”
Mark Shipman, principal at the school, paid tribute to the resilience and hard work of the students, whose education was disrupted by the 2020 COVID lockdown, and wished them luck for their next steps.
He said: “Since starting at the school in January I have been honoured to work with our fabulous Year 11 results.
“I am really pleased that we have supported them to help them move on to the next stage of their journey.”
Netherthorpe School
BRAVE teenager Will Barlow – who made headlines when he was escorted to his school Prom in a police riot van – was among the pupils celebrating GCSE results at Netherthorpe School.
Will (16) was diagnosed with a rare form of Hodgkin Lymphoma in January 2021 after discovering a lump in his neck. He was given the all-clear after an MRI scan at Sheffield Children’s Hospital in July but will have to have three-monthly check-ups for the rest of his life.
He achieved a Grade 6 in both history and geography and Grade 5s in English Language, English Literature and higher tier maths and will go on to study A-Level history, geography and psychology at Netherthorpe School – part of the Cavendish Learning Trust – in September.
Will, who lives in Upper Langwith, said: “I’m in shock. I can’t believe how well I have done, considering I was very ill and very tired when studying for my GCSEs.”
Mum Helen Noble was understandably proud of her son. She said: “Will has always enjoyed being at school and for him to be able to come into Sixth Form knowing that he hasn’t got to re-sit any exams is fantastic news.
“He sat, after having his chemotherapy at Sheffield Children’s Hospital talking to Jemma Midgley, who works for the Teenage Cancer Trust, about whether he would be well enough to sit his GCSEs, and he was so exhausted that he fell asleep.
“We didn’t think it would be possible. He had five weeks altogether to study but he was so ill; he was still using a wheelchair at this point and was simply exhausted. The stress, too, of not knowing if he had the all-clear was taking its toll.
“Will has always been determined and we are all so proud of him for achieving these brilliant results.”
It was also a good day for Emma Blackburn, who achieved four Grade 9s; in history, English Literature, religious studies and media. She will stay at Netherthorpe to study A-Level history, politics and English Literature. Her friend Jessica Street-Rose received a Grade 9 in English Literature, a 9 in history and two Level 2 Merits in Health & Social Care.
Sixteen-year-old Eve Bradder, meanwhile, achieved a Grade 9 in history and PE, plus a Grade 7 in English Literature while Kyle Brooke, who is off to study for his A-Levels at Sixth Form, was awarded two grade 9s in combined science, plus Grade 9s in geography, Design Technology and maths.
Hannah Rhodes achieved two Grade 8s in combined science, Grade 8s in Art & Design, English Language, English Literature, and Business Studies. She also received a Grade 9 in Media Studies.
Teenager Eslem Kinsiz, who sat a GCSE in Turkish Language last year, achieving a Grade 9, was there with mum Elcin to collect her results. She received six Grade 9s in subjects including chemistry, maths and physics.
Lees Brook Academy
Students at Lees Brook Academy celebrated their GCSE results today, as their proud headteacher Clare Watson, watched on. She was pleased with the results achieved by the students, particularly as this was the first set of results where grade boundaries returned to pre-pandemic levels.
She said: “We are so proud of our students here at Lees Brook. They have demonstrated hard work, resilience and tenacity throughout a challenging educational journey due to COVID. They have done themselves proud and we wish them all the best in their future endeavours.”
One of the first students through the door was Toby Sullivan (16) of Oakwood. He was delighted to achieve a double grade 9 in Science and was quick to pay credit to the hard work of his teachers.
He said: “There were lots of extra revision classes put on by the teachers after school to help us catch up with things we had missed. I’m so pleased with my results – I had to work really hard and complete lots of revision. I felt quite good after the exams, but I feel so much better now I have got my grades.”
Toby is going on to study his A Levels at Allestree Woodlands School and hopes to move into an engineering or computing career.
Another student who couldn’t stop smiling was Jamie Hallett (16) of Chaddesden. He was over the moon with a top grade 9 in Maths and his grade 8 in German.
Jamie said: “I’m absolutely ecstatic. I physically can’t tell you how many hours I spent working for these exams. It’s amazing to get such good results. And I can’t pay enough credit to the teachers for getting us through COVID. They were in constant touch through phone calls and then helped us adapt back into the school environment. All this happened while they changed Trusts as well – they were phenomenal.”
Jamie is going on to study A Level Physics, Maths and German at Bilborough College.
Nikita Haines (16) of Oakwood, was doubly pleased to get a great set of GCSE results. She moved schools in Year 10 and had to cope with moving into a strange environment as well as her exams.
She said: “I literally knew no one in the school when I moved here, so I had to cope with making new friends and learning my way around as well as preparing for my GCSEs. The school were really flexible as I had studied different texts in English Literature and was taking Spanish – even though Lees Brook had no Spanish teachers! They gave me time and space, and helped with resources so I could still achieve a grade 7 in Spanish.”
Nikita admitted that she had to be really self-motivated and is hoping to continue her Spanish studies at Bilborough College.
One student who confessed to having many sleepless nights before he got his results was Zamwa Mahammed (16) of Normanton.
He said: “I’m really pleased – I got three top grade 9s and had to work hard and stay determined. I had a bit of a wake-up call in Year 10 when I got a poor result in one of my Maths assessments. I resolved then to put away electronic devices and concentrate on my work when revising. It’s really paid off as I am now going to Rolls-Royce for a Level 3 apprenticeship as a Maintenance Engineer working on nuclear submarines.”
Alvaston Moor Academy
Around 150 students collected their GCSE results. Among the stand-out performances was Anthony Okunnuga, who achieved 10 GCSEs including 8s in maths and further maths, despite having only arrived in the UK from Nigeria last November.
Anthony, who is going on to sixth form to study maths, further maths and physics, plans on becoming an aeronautical engineer. He will be joined in the sixth form by Kayva Patel, who achieved a top 8 score in maths and a grade 7 in further maths.
The overall top scoring GCSE student at the school was Iara Santos, who was delighted with 7s in Portuguese, maths and French. Iara is going on to study maths, economics and business.
Academy principal Michelle Strong said: “We’re so proud of our Alvaston Moor Academy students today. They have had their education interrupted with Covid and yet they have still performed brilliantly. Some of our students have only recently arrived in the UK. It’s humbling to see how hard they have worked to achieve these results.”
Murray Park Community School
Celebrations have been taking place at the Murray Road school after students recorded a grade 4 or above 72.5% and 60.1% pass rate in English and maths, respectively.
Students have continued to build on progress from outcomes achieved in 2019, with figures following an upward trajectory of improvement. English and maths grade 4 and above has improved to 57.3% and English and maths grade 5 and above has improved to 35.8%, an increase of 2% and 7% from 2019 figures.
Among the pupils celebrating was Sabahat Ahmad who achieved eight 9s and two 8s. He is now planning to continue his studies at Littleover Community School and then study medicine. He said: “I’m very happy and grateful to my teachers for all the hard work they put in. I’m also very grateful to God.
“I didn’t put expectation on my results, I just prayed for whatever was best for me and I got these results and it’s turned out well. I don’t put expectations on myself as that would be unjust. I’m don’t know how we’re celebrating but I’m guessing I will get a treat.”
Summayan Rashid got three 9s, four 8s and one 7 with a merit for engineering and is now planning to go into sixth form before studying medicine. She said: “I feel shocked, these results are better than I expected. I will be celebrating by eating chocolate.
Ashley Stanley got a 6 in every subject and is now heading to dance college in Leicester. The 16-year-old said: “I’m so excited. I want a career in dancing and performing and I couldn’t be happier with my results. I’m going to Frankie and Benny’s with friends to celebrate and then I will probably go shopping to treat myself.”
Ethan Jinno is heading to Rolls Royce for his apprenticeship. He received one 6, three 5s, two 4s, one 3 and one 2. He said: “I’m really excited about going to Rolls Royce, it will be different.” Also performing well were Gia Sran and Eleanor Shakespeare.
Head teacher Nicola Caley said: “I’m so proud of all the pupils receiving their results today. They have all worked extremely hard and should be very pleased with their results. I would like to wish them the best of luck for the future and I know they will do well in life.
Queen’s Croft High School, in Lichfield
The headteacher of a Staffordshire special school has said he is ‘extremely proud’ of pupils celebrating their GCSE results.
Queen’s Croft High School, in Lichfield, is a secondary school for pupils aged 11-19 with moderate learning difficulties. It takes students from the city and the surrounding towns and villages, giving them the opportunity to study the national curriculum.
Clive Lawrence OBE, head teacher at Queen’s Croft, said: “All of the students who attend Queen’s Croft have special educational needs, and we pride ourselves in going above and beyond to make sure that all of our students work towards achieving nationally recognised qualifications.”
The school has more than 200 pupils on roll and covers Lichfield, Rugeley, Tamworth, Cannock, Stafford, Walsall and Birmingham. In total, four separate GCSE’s were delivered year 11 and post 16. In addition, one Entry Level Certificate qualification, nine Functional Skills and 16 Vocational Certificates were also delivered.
When taking into consideration pupils’ special educational needs and disabilities, and the individual starting points of each pupil, those from across key stage four and key five achieved the following overall passes: 100% in GCSE English, 100% in GCSE Biology, 94% in GCSE Maths and 86% in GCSE Art.
Mr Lawrence added: “I am extremely proud of all of our students’ achievements no matter how big or small, and I’d like to thank all of our staff for their commitment and dedication in supporting our students to access qualifications with many running revision clubs during May half term and at lunchtimes.
“We believe that our pupils have a firm foundation on which to build their futures.”
