It was a landmark moment in Derby Cathedral School’s history as pupils collected their A-level results for the very first time since the school opened in 2018.
This trailblazing cohort – many of whom joined as the school’s first Year 7 – had much to celebrate as they saw the rewards of two years of dedication and determination.
It was double the celebration for Joseph Fleming, who marked his 18th birthday yesterday and today learned he had secured a coveted place at Oxford University to study History.
He achieved A grades in Politics, History and Maths, along with an A* in his Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) on tuberculosis – a disease that claimed 1.2 million lives last year.
Joseph said: “Most people count down to their 18th birthday, but I was counting down to results day, so I’m going to celebrate properly tonight.
“My parents have been the biggest supporters of me and so they are absolutely thrilled. I hope to take a political history stance during my degree and eventually work for the civil service or in international not-for-profit healthcare.”
Freddie Robertson, 18, is off to Durham University after securing two A*s in Maths and Politics and an A in History.
He said: “It’s going to be very strange leaving school, having been here since year seven, but it’s nice to be stepping out into the big wide world.”
Jennifer Morey, 18, is going to Imperial College, London, to study Earth and Planetary Science. She achieved As in Maths, Biology and Spanish and a B in Geography and hopes to work in meteorology.
Eighteen-year-old Yee Yan has only been in the UK for four years, after leaving her ative Hong Kong. She achieved As in Maths and Further Maths and Bs in Physics and Computer Science.
She said: “I have had lots of support and really enjoy being in the UK. I am going to study maths at the University of Nottingham and I’m really looking forward to it.”
She will be joined there by Bilal Rifiki, 18, who is going to embark on a Neuroscience degree after getting an A in Biology, B in Physics and C in Chemistry.
He said: “I’m so happy and relieved. I’ve been at DCS since the very beginning and so I’m incredibly sad to be leaving, but I’m excited for the future.
“I’m hoping my neuroscience degree will allow me to springboard to post graduate medicine.”
In total students picked up 27 A/A* grades and 70% of pupils achieved A*-B in their EPQ.
Headteacher Jenny Brown said: “It has been a seminal moment for the school and quite emotional for us to watch our very first cohort come to the end of their school life.
“There has been a great deal to celebrate, with every student who wanted to go to university securing a place.
“Three quarters of our pupils are going to university, with others securing apprenticeships and other forms of employment. We wish them all success and look forward to watching their progress.”
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