Youngsters from across the county are getting their GCSE results today.
Pupils will be considering their next steps – sixth form, college or apprenticeships are all on offer, among other options.
This is the first year group to have taken GCSE exams since 2019, after COVID-19.
Overall grades for GCSEs are expected to be lower than 2020 and 2021. Grades were based on teachers’ assessments, and this led to a rise in top marks. However, the class of 2022 is expected to pick up higher marks than those awarded in 2019.
Vicki Jackson, chair of Cumbria Association of Secondary Headteachers, said: “Students in all schools across Cumbria must be congratulated on achieving their exam results this year. They have worked tirelessly over the last two difficult years, with determination to fulfil their aspirations.
“Staff who work in schools also need to be congratulated for supporting students in our county. Without the dedication and commitment of teachers and support staff our students would not have been so successful.
“We thank parents and carers for their support for our young people and their schools in what have been unusual times in education since the onset of the Covid pandemic and the subsequent impacts.
Peter Blackburn, the association’s vice-chair, added: “We wish all the students the very best and whether they are remaining in their current school for sixth form or heading off to other providers, we hope that they have all got the grades they need for those next steps.
“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.”
Councillor Sue Sanderson, Cumbria County Council’s cabinet member for schools and learning, said: “My congratulations go to all students in Cumbria who have received examination results today.
“Results day is always a day of excitement, high emotions and mixed feelings depending upon individual results. I want to take this opportunity to congratulate our young people on all their hard work, after which you can now focus on the future and the opportunities that lie ahead.
“I also want to say thank you to all the headteachers, teachers, parents and carers for their support to our young people over the last few months.”
Need help deciding what to do next?
If you’re unhappy with your GCSE grade, you should first talk to your school or college. If you still think you’ve been unfairly graded after a review, you can ask your school or college to appeal.
Careers organisation Inspira has produced an online toolkit of resources for youngsters not sure what to do after their GCSEs here or youngsters can book an appointment to talk to an adviser face-to-face, over the phone or online.
Centres will be open as normal for face-to-face drop-ins, Monday to Friday, 1pm-5pm.
Extra appointment times are also available in the immediate hours and days after GCSE results:
- Thursday August 25 and Friday August 26, 1pm-6pm.
- Saturday August 27, 10am-noon.
Phone or virtual appointments can be made by contacting an adviser at the following centres:
- Carlisle (covering Carlisle and Eden): 01228 596272.
- Workington (covering Allerdale and Copeland): 01900 604674.
- Barrow (covering Furness and South Lakes): 01229 824052.
William Howard School, Brampton
Headteacher Chris McAree said: “Our Year 11 students richly deserve recognition for the excellent results they are picking up at the end of their five years of secondary school.
“As a cohort they have faced more disruption and greater challenges than any previous year group and we congratulate them on the positive manner in which they have coped with these extraordinary times. They have faced the challenges before them with smiles, good humour and steely determination that they were going to achieve their goals.
“The vast majority of students will be very pleased with their results and they will have the keys to go onto to their anticipated destinations this autumn.
“Whether it is the straight Grade 9 or 7+ students or those achieving their own targets we wish them the very best in the next stage of their educational journeys. For many that will be sixth form study here at William Howard or at a local college and an increasing number will start one of the fantastic local apprenticeships that are available.
“All the students should feel proud of what they have accomplished and take that next step with confidence. We wish them all the very best for the future; as a school we are extremely proud of them all.”
Cockermouth School
Cockermouth School said staff were delighted it had seen a successful year for year 11 students, despite the challenges they faced.
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 and progress students make at Cockermouth School.
“There were many exceptional performances by our students and particular congratulations go to the 44 students who each achieved eight or more grades 9-7 across the full range of subjects.
“We are delighted with the successes of all of our students, the overwhelming majority of whom have secured their place at Cockermouth School Sixth Form, or other local institutions.
“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 the next stage of their academic careers and look forward to working with so many of them over the next two years as they progress through our sixth form.”
Workington Academy
Head of school Mark Bedford said: “Cumbrian schools are proud to serve our children, their families and the communities they come from. Over the last two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic this, for sustained periods has been a trying time, for both students and staff. The achievements of the students are all the more special given the challenges they faced while studying over the last two years. We congratulate them all on the manner in which they have coped in these quite extraordinary times.
“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.”
“We congratulate all the young people on their achievements today and wish them all every success in the future.”
Top marks included:
- Connor Johnston who achieved a grade 9 in Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Maths, French, Computing and English Language. He also achieved a grade 8 in English Literature and History.
- Rosina Pettit achieved a grade 9 in Biology, English Language and Geography. She also gained a grade 8 in French and English Literature, achieving a grade 7 in Maths, Chemistry, Physics and Computing.
- Emilia Gemska achieved a grade 9 in English Language, English Literature and Polish. She also gained a grade 8 in History a grade 6 in Art, Biology and French and a grade 5 in Maths, Chemistry and Physics.
Energy Coast UTC, Lillyhall
Cherry Tingle, principal of Energy Coast UTC, said: “The Energy Coast UTC is delighted to announce a fantastic set of results for our year 11 students this year.
“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 the grades they needed for sixth form or an apprenticeship, 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 all our students to progress to sixth form or an apprenticeship which is a massive achievement. Well done everyone!”
Keswick School
Headteacher Simon Jackson, said: “I am hugely proud of all our students. They have achieved exceptionally good results which are well deserved and remarkably exceed the grades awarded in 2021 and 2020.
“Many students have achieved top grades and others have achieved terrific success in the face of personal challenges. The excellent outcomes in English, Maths and Science highlight once again the high academic standards Keswick School is recognised for. There has also be outstanding success in all subject areas across the board. This includes some exceptional results in languages with over 91 per cent of students achieving a good grade in either French or German. Indeed, a class of Year 9 and 10 students who sat GCSE Latin achieved 100 per cent grades 7 to 9. That is a truly fantastic achievement for younger students who are only aged 14 and 15 and shows that the classics are very much alive at Keswick School!
“The GCSE grades awarded today reflect the tremendous hard work and dedication of our students. They have supported each other through challenging times and, despite everything, they have remained positive and proactive.
“They took a full part in everything that was on offer at school from sport, to music and performing arts. Their enthusiasm to be in school following each lockdown was reflected in their engagement in the curriculum and ultimately the grades that they have achieved. They have been a pleasure to have as part of our Keswick School community.
“I would also like to pay tribute to our exceptional teaching and support staff. They are an incredibly committed group of staff who always go the extra mile in support of our young people. It is through their care and encouragement that students at Keswick School blossom into confident and articulate young people.
“Our staff are so incredibly passionate about their own specialist subjects and it is no surprise that they pass this excitement onto their students. The result is inspirational teaching and high-quality learning, and those are the key ingredients for success.
The vast majority of Year 11 will be returning to our sixth form in September and we look forward to seeing them start the next stage of their academic journey as well as wishing the very best to those who are moving on to start an apprenticeship or attend college.”
Rachel Melling, head of Year 11, said: “I am so proud of everybody in Year 11 for completing their GCSE years successfully. There have been challenges along the way, but the support of family, friends and staff, together with their own resolve and motivation, has enabled our students to attain the successes they deserve. Not only have they been successful in their results, but they have been a fantastic year group in many other important ways too. I wish them all every success for the future!”
Top marks included:
- Anna Bray 8 grade 9s
- Joel Brentnall 7 grade 9s
- Annabelle Brett 7 grade 9s
- Annika Jamieson-Smith 7 grade 9s
- Neve Parsons 7 grade 9s
- James Hobbs 6 grade 9s
- Zara Sandelands 6 grade 9s
- Thomas Jenkins 5 grade 9s
- Ella Magee 5 grade 9s
Kirkby Stephen Grammar School
Headteacher Gary Hartley said: “We congratulate all the young people on their achievements today and wish them all every success in the future.
“Our students 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.
“Congratulations to all of our students for perseverance and resilience during unprecedented challenges regardless of the grades they achieved. Every student turned up for every exam, which is amazing in itself.”
Top marks included:
- Clemency Clark, who achieved seven grade 9s, two grade 8s and a Distinction.
- Nina Keegan, who achieved seven 9s, and two 8s.
- Esme Thompson achieved six 9s, an 8 and two 7s.
Mr Hartley added: “There were many other excellent results, including students who significantly outperformed their targets. An example is Rowan Dey, who achieved three grade 8s, two 7s, a 6 and two 5s. Some of these grades were three grades above his target grade for those subjects.”
St Benedict’s School, Whitehaven
Headteacher Emma Jackson, said: “I am extremely pleased with the results for our Year 11 group this year, and proud of how hard the students have all worked over the last two years. We would like to wish each and every student all the best for their futures. We are looking forward to welcoming lots of them back to our sixth form in September.”
Nathalie Hannan, head of Year 11, added: “I am immensely proud of our Year 11 students, they are a credit to themselves, their families and our school. The last two years have been difficult but they have risen to the challenge and I cannot praise them enough.”
Top marks included:
- Anya Mitchell – Five 9s, four 8s and one 7
- Alfie Taylor – Five 9s, four 8s and one 7
- Jessica Broatch – Five 9s, two 8s and one 6
- Mollie Calvin – Five 9s, three 8s and two 7s
- Zoe Hawkrigg – Three 9s, five 8s and one 7
- Mason Garner – Two 9s, four 8s, three 7s and one 6
- Adam Garner – Three 9s, three 8s, one 7, two 6s and one 5
- Blythe Kelly – Two 9s, five 8s and two 7s
Appleby Grammar School
Headteacher Elaine Sargent said: “It has been a great morning at Appleby Grammar School as many staff came into school to celebrate with students as they collected their results.
“A number of students achieved the very highest grades in almost all of their subjects and we are absolutely delighted for them. We know however that it is not just about grades but the journey and the progress made. For that reason, we would like to celebrate all of our students who have made us incredibly proud today by achieving grades that have surpassed even their own expectations.
“We will be welcoming a large number of students back into our sixth form and wish every success to those heading off to take up apprenticeships or start college courses in September. Well done!”
St Bees School
Students at St Bees are celebrating an impressive set of IGCSE – International GCSEs – results with 90 per cent of grades at A* to C.
The West Cumbrian independent school is growing, not only in number, but in success following its closure in 2015 and reopening in 2018.
St Bees School’s unique fusion maths curriculum encourages students to learn in a different way to most state schools. The curriculum has been created by the experts at Durham University specially for the school and students are learn Key Stage 3 and Key Stage 4 skills and knowledge in their first two years at the school as opposed to their peers in other schools.
It has allowed several students from year 10 to take their maths IGCSE exams a year early.
Three international students also gained IGCSEs after studying St Bees School’s unique fast track IGCSE programme.
Headmaster Robin Silk said: “Given the disruption caused by the pandemic, we are extremely proud of the commitment to their studies shown by all our students. They should be pleased that their hard work has paid off – and we look forward to the next challenge ahead.”
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.
“The overwhelming majority of our students will be very pleased with their results and now have the keys to go onto to 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 of UCC.
“It is only right that we recognise that the variability in how students and schools have been affected by COVID-19 and 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 our students and families today and wish them every success for the future – needless to say, I remain incredibly #ProudtobeUCC.”
Marcus Castle and Cath Jones, heads of Year 11, added: “The students have done an incredible job, they have worked so hard through the most
challenging times we have seen in school in many years.”
“They have been so supportive of one another and their families have also made a significant contribution to the fantastic results they are all collecting today.
“We’re really proud to have been a part of their journey, to have been able to get to know them and to set them on their way to making a huge contribution in their future careers. Well done, each and every one of you!”
Top marks included:
- Holly Broomhall – 4x grade 9 / 3x grade 8 / 1x grade 7 / 1x grade 5
- Ben Johnston – 4x grade 9 / 3x grade 8 / 2x grade 6
- Lucy Gee – 3x grade 9 / 3x grade 8 / 1x grade 7 / 2x grade 6
- Anna Hogg – 3x grade 9 / 2x grade 8 / 3x grade 7 / 1x grade 6
- Hannah Holmes – 6x grade 8 / 3x grade 7
- Kai Akrigg – 1x grade 9 / 4x grade 8 / 3x grade 7 / 1x grade 6
- Robert Ramsey – 2x grade 9 / 3x grade 8 / 2x grade 7 / 2x grade 6
- Rachel Abbott – 1x grade A* / 5x grade 8 / 2x grade 7 / 1x grade 6
- Chloe Toon – 1x grade 9 / 3x grade 8 / 2x grade 7 / 1x grade D / 2x grade 6
- Alex Gate – 1x grade 9 / 3x grade 8 / 3x grade 7 / 1x grade 6 / 1x grade 5
- Ellie Harrison – 3x grade 8 / 4x grade 7 / 2x grade 6
- James Heape – 1x grade 9 / 2x grade 8 / 3x grade 7 / 2x grade 6 / 1x grade 5
- Lucy Benson – 1x grade *2 / 1x grade 8 / 4x grade 7 / 3x grade 6
- Katie Rouse – 2x grade 8 / 4x grade 7 / 3x grade 6
- Olivia Allcock – 2x grade 8 / 3x grade 7 / 3x grade 6 / 1x grade 5
- Katie Broadhead – 1x grade 8 / 4x grade 7 / 4x grade 6
- Niall Eland – 1x grade 9 / 1x grade 8 / 2x grade 7 / 4x grade 6 / 1x grade 5
Trinity School, Carlisle
Headteacher Jo Hawkin said: “After two years of disruption effecting our students and their families, we are pleased that our students today receive results based on their hard work and efforts. Their achievements reflect the endurance they have shown whilst studying over the last two years.
“We congratulate them all on the manner in which they have coped in these quite extraordinary times. We are also proud of their many talents and achievements in other areas of their lives as we have watched them develop and grow into caring, compassionate human beings ready for the challenges ahead.
“The majority of students will be pleased with their results and will be able to follow their chosen path, be that in our own sixth form, at college, in employment or apprenticeship. We wish them all the best for the future and will miss the students that are leaving us.
“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.”
Top marks included:
- James Bell: 3 grade 9, 4 grade 8 and 3 grade 7
- Nicole Latour: 5 grade 9, 5 grade 8
- Lucy Downey: 4 grade 9, 3 grade 8, 2 grade 7, 1 grade 6
- Sarah Henderson: 5 grade 9, 4 grade 8, 1 grade 7, 1 grade 6
West Lakes Academy, Egremont
Principal James Jackson 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.
“We congratulate all the young people on their achievements today and wish them all every success in the future.”
Barry Simpson, vice principal, added: “I am in awe of our students and the amazing grades they have achieved. These outcomes demonstrate that, not only are West Lakes Academy students polite, kind and resilient, they are also incredibly academically driven and committed to changing their lives through learning, especially in light of everything that they have faced over the past two-and-a-half years.
“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. 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 marks included:
- Beth Nevinson: Seven 9s, one 8, one distinction * and one 7
- Lottie Wood: Six 9s, one distinction*, two 8s, one 7
- Douglas Kelly: Five 9s, one distinction*, two 8s, two 7s
- Ivy Leatherbarrow: Four 9s, one distinction*, two 8s, two 7s and one 6
- Robyn Henderson: Four 9s, one distinction, three 8s, and two 7s
Queen Elizabeth Grammar School, Penrith
Headteacher Paul Buckland said the results reflected the students’ hard work and today was a day to celebrate their achievements.
Top marks included:
- Rebecca Boving-Foster 10 grade 9s
- Saffron Cooper 9 grade 9s and one 8
- Jenny Mounsey 9 grade 9s and one 8
The following all got at least 9 grades 8 or above:
- Caitlin Denyer
- Taylor McCombie
- Grace Monkhouse
- Charis Pattimore
- Harper Short
- Jack Simpson
- Josh Stevens
Caldew School, Carlisle
Students and staff at Caldew School are celebrating their GCSE results.
Vicki Jackson, headteacher, said: “We are very proud of our student’s achievements in their GCSE examinations. They should be congratulated on their success after an incredibly tough two years, the resilience they have shown has been remarkable. They are all exceptional, inspiring and talented young people, and we couldn’t be prouder of them. We are very pleased with these results that continue our good track record at GCSE.
“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.”
Standout results include:
- Jonathan Bedford – 5 grade 9s in English Language, geography, Biology, Chemistry and Physics, 2 grade 8s in Maths and Music, 7 in English Literature and 6 in Spanish
- Finn Bell – grade 9 in Geography, 2 grade 8 in English Language and Maths, 5 grade 7 in Biology, Chemistry, Physics, English Literature and Spanish
- Lauren Blake – 2 grade 8 in Maths and Biology, 3 grade 7 in DT, Geography and Chemistry, 2 grade 6 in English literature and Physics
- Thomas Clements – 4 grade 8s in Computing, Geography, Maths and Physics, 2 grade 7s in Biology and Chemistry, 2 grade 6 in English language and Literature
- James Delin – 9 in Computing, 5 grade 8 in English Literature, Maths, Biology, Chemistry and Physics, grade 7 in Geography and 2 grade 6 in English Literature and French
- Zoe Fell – 5 grade 8 in Art, English Literature, Philosophy and Science, 3 grade 7 in English Language, French and History and grade 6 in Maths
- Charlie Glover – 3 grade 9 in Maths, Chemistry and Physics, 1 grade 8 in Biology, 4 grade 7 in DT, History, English Language and Literature
- Jamie Hiddleston – 5 grade 7 in Biology, Computing, Geography, Maths and Physics, 2 grade 6 in English Language and Chemistry, and grade 5 in English Literature
- Blythe Jackson – 6 grade 9 in PE, Geography, Maths, Biology, Chemistry and Physics, grade 8 in English Language, grade 7 in Spanish and grade 6 in English Literature
- Joel Jeavons – 4 grade 8 in English Literature, Geography, Maths and Biology, 2 grade 7 in Chemistry and Physic, 2 grade 6 in PE and English Language
- Hattie Kerr – grade 9 in Art, 2 grade 8 in Music and Science, 2 grade 7 in History and Science, 4 grade 6 in French, Maths, English Language and Literature
- William Langley – 3 grade 9 in Maths, Chemistry and Physics, 2 grade 8 in Computing and Biology, grade 7 in Geography and grade 6 in English Literature
- Abbie Lawson 0 grade 9 in Art, grade 8 in geography, 2 grade 7 in English Language and Biology and 4 grade 6 in English Literature, maths, Chemistry and Physics
- Natalie Mandale – 2 grade 9 in Biology and Spanish, 5 grade 8 in English Language, Maths, Media Studies, Chemistry and Physics, grade 7 in English Literature and grade 6 I History
- Luke Mason – 3 grade 8 in Maths, Chemistry and Physics, 2 grade 7 in Geography and Biology, 2 grade 6 in English Language and Music
- Ellis Moore – grade 9 in Biology, grade 8 in Geography, 3 grade 7 in Maths, Chemistry and Physics and 3 grade 6 in PE, English Language and Literature
- Aidan Pluckrose – 4 grade 8 in History, Maths, Biology, Spanish, 4 grade 7 in English language, Geography, Chemistry and Physics and grade 6 in English Literature
- Lewis Richardson – grade 8 in Physics, 5 grade 7 in English Language, geography, maths, Biology, Chemistry and grade 6 in Business Studies
- Jamie Ross – 1 grade 9 in Biology, 3 grade 8 in Maths, Chemistry and Physics, 2 grade 7 in Food and Geography and grade 6 in English Literature
- Oliver Smillie – grade 9 in Geography, 6 grade 8 in Business Studies, English Language and Literature, Biology, Chemistry and Physics and grade 7 in Maths
- Abbie Storey – grade 8 in English language, 3 grade 7 in Business Studies, Geography and Maths, 5 grade 6 in DT, English literature, Biology, Chemistry and Physics
- Izzy Walker – grade 9 in Music, 2 grade 8 in Art and English Literature, 2 grade 7 in Biology and Physics and 4 grade 6 in English Language, Geography, Maths and Chemistry
- Joseph Wightman – grade 9 in Biology, 5 grade 8 in English language, Geography, Maths, Chemistry and Physics, 3 grade 7 in English Literature, PE and Spanish
Share your results day photos with us! Email admin@cumbriacrack.com – we’d love to publish a selection and congratulate students on their success!
