Students across Cumbria’s sixth forms and colleges are celebrating their post-16 exam results today after two difficult years in the education system battered by COVID-19.
Vicki Jackson, chair of Cumbria Association of Secondary Headteachers, and Peter Blackburn, vice chair, said: “Our students in schools across Cumbria should be congratulated on their exam results that they receive today. They have worked so hard over the last two difficult years, with determination to fulfil their aspirations alongside the staff in schools and with their parents’ support.
“We thank the staff who work in schools and congratulate them also on the fruits of their labour. Without the dedication and commitment of teachers and all staff in schools, our students would not have been so successful.
“Cumbrian schools have worked together and supported each other to ensure that of our young people receive a high quality education. As in previous years schools across Cumbria have agreed not to use the results to make comparisons between schools whose contexts are very different and this gives us an opportunity to recognise and celebrate the achievements of our children.”
Keswick School
Students at Keswick School are celebrating A-level results this morning – after a rollercoaster two years of education.
Simon Jackson, headteacher, said: “I would like pay tribute to our truly outstanding students. They are very conscientious, hardworking and wonderful role models for our younger students. Over their time at Keswick School they have grown as individuals and acquired the skills and values that I hope will help them achieve their ambitions in the future.
“The achievements of the students are all the more special given the challenges they faced through the pandemic. I would like to congratulate them all on the manner in which they have coped in these quite extraordinary times.
“The grades that they have received today are based on their exam performance and they should be particularly proud of their achievements as this cohort did not experience public exams at the end of Year 11.
“Almost every student has secured their first choice course at university or an apprenticeship. This is the success that we are really focused on celebrating today. Their achievements are also a reflection on the dedication of our team of specialist teachers and associate staff.
“I would like to thank all our staff and parents for the way they have adapted over the last couple of years. It is now important that these fantastic young people look forward to bright and very optimistic futures.”
Sophie French, head of sixth form, said: “I am absolutely delighted for our Year 13s. It has been fantastic to see so many students surpass their own expectations, and the year group as a whole are about to move on to an impressively diverse range of courses at some of the best institutions in the country.
“I wish them all the very best of luck as they move on to the next stage of their lives and would like to thank them for all their hard work; they have been a credit to themselves and to the school.”
Top students at Keswick School included:
- Emily Wightman 4A*
- Andrew Brown 3A*
- Tilly Cox 3A*
- Talia Holliday 3A*
- Juliette Welch 3A*
- Leo Barker 2A*/1A
- Keir McIntosh 2A*/1A
- Zoë Scrugham 2A* / 1A
- Mitchell Ward 2A*/1A
Queen Elizabeth Grammar School, Penrith
Headteacher Paul Buckland said: “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.
“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.”
Top results included Daisy Gillon, Danny McAlea and Mahathi Varma all achieving 4 A* grades. Three students, including Amelie Marshall and Danny McAlea, also had their Oxbridge places confirmed.
Energy Coast UTC
Cherry Tingle, principal of Energy Coast UTC, at Lillyhall, near Workington, said she was ‘delighted to announce a fantastic set of results’.
She added: “Students gained results which were truly exceptional – both for themselves and their future careers.
“So many students received such good results and were successful in gaining so many high-level apprenticeships or university places that is impossible to name them all individually but we would like to say well done to each and every one of them and to wish them well on the next step of their journey.
“The hard work of our students, the inspirational teaching of staff throughout the most challenging of times, and the unrelenting support of our employer partners, members and parents has been rewarded with the excellent performance of students in the 2022 exams. This has enabled almost all our students to progress to apprenticeships or university which is a massive achievement. Well done everyone!”
William Howard School, Brampton
Headteacher Chris McAree said: “The students receiving their exam results today deserve a massive amount of credit for completing their courses having navigated successfully the disruption caused by COVID. As a cohort this is the first time they have sat full external exams, having being denied the chance to do so for their GCSEs. This will have made the experience a little more difficult and certainly more daunting for many of them. We congratulate them all on the manner in which they have coped with the challenges that they have faced.
“The vast majority of students will be pleased with their results as they reflect the high levels of effort and standards they have been achieving throughout their studies, and they will be able to go onto to their anticipated destinations this autumn.
“As a school we are extremely pleased with the range of destinations our students have achieved this year. The vast majority of the year group will be progressing to university while others are progressing on to high quality degree level apprenticeships, with a small number taking gap years. Our students will be attending a wide spectrum of universities as always, many attending Russell Group Universities, or other high achieving specialist institutions for the arts and institutions abroad.
“The range of courses students will be reading is extensive, ranging from subjects such as physics, astrophysics, economics, architecture, law and maths, as well as degrees in the arts and music. The range and diversity in the courses and destinations will continue to inspire our current students to be outward looking as they work towards following their own high aspirations.”
Some of the top results included:
Andrew Pickett achieved 3 A*s in geology, maths and physics and a grade A in further maths, and will be reading physics at Durham University.
Jack Craig achieved 2 A*s in mathematics and physics and a grade A in further maths, and will be reading aerospace engineering at Bristol University..
Ruby Slinger achieved 3 As in English, maths and physics and will be reading physics at Durham University.
Ruaraidh Nugent achieved 3 As in biology, chemistry and geology will be reading chemistry at the University of Liverpool.
Cockermouth School
Headteacher Richard King said: “Congratulations go to all of our students who have performed exceptionally well; these results maintain the consistently high level of achievement at Cockermouth School Sixth Form.
“We are delighted that 25 students gained all A/A grades and these grades cover the full range of subjects that we offer.
“There were many exceptional performances by our students and particular congratulations go to Emily Hartley and Oliver Heron-Southward who each achieved four A grades, with six students achieving three or more A* grades.
“We are delighted with the successes of all of our students, the overwhelming majority of whom have secured places at their university of choice, on highly competitive apprenticeship programmes and in the armed forces.
“These include university places at a range of institutions to study subjects such as modern history at St Andrews, project management apprenticeship at Sellafield, art at the University of Edinburgh, natural sciences at Durham and nursing at Northumbria.
“We would like to thank the hardworking and dedicated staff who have taught students and supported them through the challenges of the last few years to achieve the results they have received today. We wish all of our students the very best in their future careers.”
Barrow Sixth Form College
Students at Barrow Sixth Form College are celebrating achieving a remarkable set of results after having never sat formal exams at school.
The sixth formers returned to the Rating Lane campus for results day to discover their grades and plan exciting futures at university, in higher apprenticeships and in employment.
There were around 200 students marking their achievements in A-levels and CTECs – after missing out on sitting GCSE exams at school due to the pandemic.
The college saw a bumper crop of high grades with top student Toby Wilson securing the maximum four A* grades and a place to study medicine at Cambridge University.
The former St Bernard’s pupil said: “I’m a bit overwhelmed really as I wasn’t expecting them to be so good. I was nervous because I haven’t experienced exams before but I am really excited about it now I know where I am going.
“I have a nice group of friends from college, I’ve enjoyed the freedom sixth form gives you. I would say to anyone thinking about Oxbridge just to go for it. I took a bit of a punt and applied and it has worked out. Don’t be put off by stereotypes, believe in yourself.”
Another aspiring doctor Phoebe Postlethwaite, who joined college from Dowdales, secured her university place to study medicine at Edge Hill after studying A-levels in biology, maths and chemistry.
Dowdales pupil Adam Boyd secured A*A* and A in business, accounting and maths and a place at Durham University to study business and management and closer to his dream career in finance.
“I’m ecstatic! It wasn’t what I was expecting – capital N, capital O, underlined! I’m really relieved, there’s been a lot of stress and it’s been a challenging time for me. My mum cried when I told her.
“I’m going to Durham and some of my friends are going too, so it’ll be nice to have friends there. We’re planning to go for a drink to celebrate.”
Evie McMullen and Luke Beresford are looking forward to higher apprenticeship roles in project management at BAE Systems and Sellafield respectively.
Evie, who went to Ulverston Victoria High School, secured ABC in business, accounting and maths while Luke, who went to Dowdales, achieved AAB.
“I needed CCC and I got ABC,” said Evie. “It doesn’t feel real yet. I’m so shocked at my results.”
Gracie Fisher, who was on the first cohort of students on the animal management programme the college runs in partnership with Myerscough College, successfully secured her place to study a degree in wildlife conservation with zoo biology at the University of Salford.
“I was quite nervous this morning but then I got a text to say I had got in to Salford. It’s been great and I feel great now. I’m really looking forward to going to university and then I plan to travel doing conservation.”
Other top achievers included former Furness Academy student Ben Patel, who completed four A-levels, achieving 2 A* and 2 and will study a degree in biomedical science at Lancaster University.
“It’s been a rocky road this year but it’s also been good. I did better than I thought! I’m looking forward to going to uni and moving away from home for the next step.”
Mum Amanda Mellor said, “I tried not to cry! Ben did his GCSEs during the pandemic so there have been ups and downs. I was proud of him no matter what today brought, but I’m as proud as punch with his results.”
Alisha Windle will study a degree in politics at Edinburgh University after achieving grades of A*A*A. Daniel Jewell achieved A*A*A*C in business, maths, further maths and physics and was ‘relieved and ecstatic’ to get his place at Loughborough to study a degree in automotive engineering.
Head of sixth form Helen Gibson said she was delighted with the results. She said: “We cannot underestimate the strength these students have shown, their resilience and determination to succeed when faced with an unprecedented upheaval to their education through the pandemic.
“The majority of this cohort of students have never set a formal exam and others have faced challenges with family circumstances that had the potential to derail their education.
“Yet today, across the board, we are looking at an excellent set of results, a remarkable amount of high grades and the ability for these students to move forward in life and education in whatever direction they wish to choose.
“It goes without saying that the staff have worked their socks off to support the students and I’d like to thank them all for such an amazing effort over the past few years.”
Friends Jessica Brockbanks and Tobias Allen are both off to Durham University to study biology and history and politics respectively with a clutch of top grades.
“I’m really happy,” said Tobias. “A bit surprised too and we are going to Wetherspoon to celebrate.”
Jamie Kelley scooped A*s in psychology and law and an A in history and is going to study psychology at York University. “College has been really good,” she said. “You have your independence and the staff are really helpful.”
Caldew School, Carlisle
Vicki Jackson, headteacher, said, “I would like to congratulate all of our students on achieving excellent results this year. The last two years have been incredibly hard for students and this cohort of students were unable to sit GCSE exams in 2020 so this summer’s exams were the first external assessments that they were able to take. This makes their results a tremendous achievement and we are very proud of all our students. They have worked incredibly hard over and have shown a real determination to succeed.
“I would also like to thank all the teachers and support staff at Caldew School for the hard work and commitment that has helped our students be so successful and to parents and carers who have worked with us in supporting their children. I am very proud to see our year 13 students progress to the next stage of their lives, whether this be at university, on to an apprenticeship or in to the work place and I would like to take this opportunity to wish them every success.”
The overwhelming majority of Caldew School’s students will be able to attend their first choice university, and will study courses including the sciences, languages, mathematics, engineering, computing and the arts at some of the country’s top universities.
Ms Jackson added: “We are very proud of our Year 13 students and what they have achieved. They have been a wonderful year group who have shown determination, resilience and a great work ethic throughout their time at Caldew School. They fully deserve these excellent results.”
Top results included
- Lily Welton who achieved 4 A* grades in English language, media studies, religious studies and EPQ. She will be going to the University of Westminster to study film
- Jane Mieras who achieved 2 A* English literature and EPQ and 2 grade As in history and psychology. She will be going to the University of Sheffield to study psychology
- Elliot Blake who achieved A* in geography, 2 As PE and core maths and grade B in biology. He will be going to the University of Central Lancashire to study sport and PE
- Sean Wilson achieved A* in Maths, 2 As in further maths and physics and B in chemistry. He will be going to study maths at the University of Durham
- Charlie Varcoe achieved A* in EPQ, A in geography and 2 Bs in maths and physics. He will be going to the University of Bristol to study geography
- Jessie Hellon achieved Distinction* in health and social care, A in core maths and 2 Bs in law and English literature
- Lewis Handley achieved 2 As in computing and EPQ and 2 Bs in maths and physics
- Emma Kendal achieved grade A in biology, Distinction* in health and social care and 2 Bs in core Maths and English literature
- Holly Davidson achieved 2 As in biology and EPQ and 2 Bs in English literature and history. She will be going to the University of Lancaster to study English literature and creative writing
- Lauren Shaw achieved 2 grade As in geography and Law and 2 grade Bs in psychology and core maths. She will be going to the University of Cumbria to study nursing.
St Bees School
Students and staff at St Bees School are celebrating the second year of full A-level results since reopening in 2018.
The school only has six students in year 13 and five are going to university while one has landed a graduate apprenticeship at RPG Chartered Accountants.
Headmaster Robin Silk said: “We are extremely proud of our year 13 students, all of whom were with us throughout the pandemic and were learning online for nearly 12 months. To see them work hard and achieve such inspiring grades is definitely something that they should be proud of and celebrate.”
Ullswater Community College, Penrith
Headteacher Stephen Gilby, said: “As a Cumbrian and community school, we are incredibly proud to serve our children, their families and the communities they come from. Recent years have been incredibly challenging, for both students and staff. The achievements of our students this year, and the way they have approached their time in school, makes them a credit to themselves, their families and the school. I want to congratulate them all on their achievements.
“Our students will be very pleased with their results and now have the keys to go onto their chosen next step. Their results reflect their hard work and their dedication, as well as the support they have received from their families and the teachers and staff.
“I want to encourage everyone to focus on the success of our students 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 for the future.”
Rob Jackson, head of sixth form, added: “Our students and staff have done a tremendous job, they have worked incredibly hard and supported one another through some of the most challenging times we have seen in schools up and down the country in many years.
“We are incredibly proud that our overall results are significantly above national for A*-E pass rates, with over 50 per cent A*-B or equivalent grades.
“To know that we have played a part in getting all our students to where they want to be has been an enormous privilege and this is supported by our excellent destinations with every student securing their next step. For those headed off to University, the vast majority have secured their first choice and over 30 per cent of these will be making their way to the Russell Group.
“I want to congratulate each and every one of them on their achievements and wish them every success for the future.”
Individual successes include:
- Alana Allison A*A*A*
- Sophie Austin AAB
- Callie Beattie D*D*D
- Daisy Blundell AAB
- James Bowman A*A*A*
- Abbie Brown AAA
- Samantha Burton AAA
- Lauren Caris A*AA
- Zaim Choudhury AAD*
- James Culling AAD*
- Ruby Dargue D*DD
- Cara Dudson D*AB
- Megan Eastham A*A*A*
- Ruby Eden A*A*B
- Ella Feltham A*A*A*
- Jacob Fidler AAB
- Georgina Gale D*AB
- Jo Garnett AAB
- James Gee AAB
- Finn Harrison A*ABB
- Sophie Harrison A*AB
- Anya Heape AAB
- Lola Hewitt AAA
- Sadie Hoskins A*AC
- Elizabeth Jackson AAB
- Eve Jenkinson D*D*D*
- James Jones A*A*A*
- Leah Lawson-Wilson D*D*D
- Ellie Lloyds AAB
- Emma Mayhew D*DD
- Emily McKie AAA
- Grace Mepham AAC
- Ellie Morton D*D*D
- Annabel Murphy A*A*A*
- Hannah Nelson AAA
- Lily Nulty A*AA
- Elysia O’Neil D*D*D*
- Megan Platt A*AA
- Callie Popple A*A*A
- Adam Prentice DistDistD
- Caitlin Pridmore DDD
- Isaac Pullan DistAB
- Emily Robinson D*D*D
- Oliver Saxon AAB
- Molly Scrivens ADistD*
- Rhian Stratford D*D*D*
- Caitlin Ward A*A*A
- Isobel Waugh AAAA
- Samantha Westgarth A*A*A*
Lakes College, Lillyhall
It has been a day of celebration at Lakes College as students shared success stories.
Level 3 learners and T-level students who have completed the first half of the new two-year courses found out how they had fared in their studies and looked forward to the future after a positive set of results across the college.
Principal Chris Nattress said: “I’m thrilled with the fantastic results that many of our learners have received – they all thoroughly deserve to reap the rewards of their hard work.
“Transitioning back to learning in college post-lockdown has posed many challenges; however, our learners have been fully committed to overcoming any difficulties to earn top marks.
“Everyone at Lakes would all like to thank our learners for how they have risen to the challenge and wish them all the best of luck for whatever their next step is, whether that be here at Lakes or further afield.”
Emotions ran high as students celebrated achieving the results they wanted to allow them to take the next step towards their desired career.
Nurse cadet student Katie Higgins, of Cleator Moor, has achieved an A* overall and will go on to study nursing at University of Central Lancashire from next month.
She said: “I had to ring Lynsey my tutor and ask if she was sure my result was right, I didn’t expect it. I was really happy and I think we’ve all done pretty well on my course – we all put the work in and I’m really proud of everyone.”
T-levels learners were able to find out how they are progressing at the halfway point in their course.
Owen Birkett, who is studying a construction T-level in design, surveying and planning, was delighted to learn that he had earned an A for his first year.
Owen, of Whitehaven, said: “It’s brilliant to hear that my hard work has paid off, with the support I was provided with by the college.
“I think an apprenticeship for the area I’m in will be the most appropriate avenue once I complete my course.”
T-level student Adam Baxter was celebrating after finding out he had passed the first year of his digital course.
Adam, of Workington, has undertaken a work placement with The BidBase in Cockermouth as part of his course.
He said: “I was over the moon with my results, I didn’t really expect them. I’ve absolutely loved my course so far – I couldn’t see myself going to sixth form so this was the right choice for me.
“I’m hopefully going to be looking at an apprenticeship or moving into the world of work once I finish my course.”
Shaun Whitton, of Whitehaven, hopes to take the next step in his career after achieving a distinction in his Level 3 extended diploma in policing.
He said: “It’s what I was aiming for so I’m really chuffed with myself. I need to pass my driving test and then I’m looking to secure a police apprenticeship or a position with the Civil Nuclear Constabulary.”
Appleby Grammar School
Headteacher Elaine Sargent congratulated students, but warned that comparison between schools this year was not appropriate, due to the pressures faced by youngsters during COVID-19.
She said: “It is only right that we recognise that the variability in how students and schools were affected by COVID-19 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 students and celebrate their achievements as individuals with their own story to tell.”
She said the last two years had been a trying time for pupils and staff and the achievements by pupils was all the more special, given the challenges they faced.
She added: “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. We congratulate all the young people on their achievements today and wish them all every success in the future.”
Kirkby Stephen Grammar School
Headteacher Gary Hartley also warned against comparing schools and added: “The majority of students are pleased with their results and have the keys to go onto to their anticipated destinations in September. In fact all students who applied achieved their first or second choice university place or their apprenticeship offer. Their results reflect their hard work, their dedication and the support they received from their teachers and families.
“We congratulate all the young people on their achievements. Today we want to celebrate the individuals who have shone for all sorts of reasons.”
Notable results included:
- Molly Woodmass, three As.
- James White, A and two Bs.
- Eleanor Bowness, A and two Bs.
- Jana McWhirter, A*BC.
There were a number of other students who achieved grades in excess of their expected grades, such as Ross Gilby-Steadman (distinction BB) and Sam Holmes (ACC), the school said.
Trinity School, Carlisle
Heateacher Jo Hawkin said: “Pleasing results were achieved by many students, including the 11 students who achieved all A and A* results. One of these, Dorina Horvath, looks forward to taking up a scholarship in America after achieving 2A* and 2A grades.
“We are delighted that the majority of students have secured the grades need to move onto their chosen next step in life, including university, employment and degree level apprenticeships.”
Ms Hakwin echoed the words of heads at other schools in the county, reminding people that students were forced to face challenges during COVID-19 and schools should not be measured against each other due to the circumstances.
We want your pictures, thoughts and reports from results day – the first in two years where students will get results based on examinations.
The first cohort of T-level students will also be getting their results.
Schools across Cumbria are invited to send us details on results and pictures and please share your pictures of your success with us!
To get in touch, send us an email at [email protected]