The wait is finally over for students in Cumbria who today receive their GCSE results.
Grades are expected to be lower than last year as 2023 marks a return to pre-pandemic grading and will be similar to 2019’s results.
Between 2020 and 2021, there was an increase in top GCSE grades, as results were based on teacher assessments instead of exams due to the pandemic.
It is also being reported that many youngsters will have to resit their English and maths exams as up to 400,000 teens nationally are expected not to fail to get the minimum grades.
Councillor Sue Sanderson, Westmorland and Furness Council’s cabinet member for children’s services, education and skills, said: “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.
“Whatever you decide to do next, know that whatever your results there are still plenty of opportunities available to you – including with us here at the council. Each year we announce our apprenticeship opportunities and have numerous jobs available right now with excellent progression opportunities.”
“I also want to take this opportunity to say thank you to all the head teachers, teachers, parents and carers for their support to our young people over the last few months.”
Milorad Vasic, Westmorland and Furness Council’s director of children’s services, said: “I want to congratulate our young people on all their hard work and I am immensely proud of everyone’s efforts.
“Whatever your results it is now time for you to focus on the future and the opportunities which lie ahead. I wish all our students every success as they embark on this exciting next step in their lives and careers.”
Councillor Elaine Lynch, Cumberland Council’s executive member for lifelong learning and development, said: “Congratulations to all the students across Cumberland who have received results today.
“Results day can be one of celebration and excitement, but also mixed emotions. Whatever your own personal news today I want to congratulate you on all your hard up to this point, and I wish you the very best as you take your next exciting steps.
“I also want to say thank you to everyone – the headteachers, teachers and teaching assistants, parents and carers – who have supported our young people working towards these exams and beyond.”
Cockermouth School
Cockermouth School said it was delighted it had seen another successful year for its students.
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 of all abilities make at Cockermouth School.
“There were many exceptional performances by our students and congratulations go to the 38 students who each achieved eight or more grades 9-7 across the full range of subjects.”
It said the overwhelming majority of students had secured a place at Cockermouth School Sixth Form, or other local institutions.
Mr King added: “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.”
Dallam School, Milnthorpe
Pupils collecting their GCSE results at Dallam School in Milnthorpe have been praised for their efforts.
The school saw 169 pupils sit their GCSEs this summer and headteacher Steven Henneberry said: “Their last normal experience of a school year was their first year in secondary school.
“They’ve been tested with lock-downs, remote learning and COVID restrictions, plus the impact of the pandemic in general. It was so lovely that many mums, dads, grandparents and siblings came with them to collect their results. And that many pupils then headed over to the sixth form centre for coffee, croissants and enrolment.
“There were also six of our boarders opening their results around the world. We recognise their amazing achievements of studying in a second language alongside living away from home, developing independence and resilience,” adds Steven.
Among those with a strong set of academic results is Iona Finney who got a brace of 9s and an 8.
Evie O’Hara and Alice Grieves set high standards for themselves and worked really hard. Their results mean they’re returning for sixth form.
Alice says she will continue with drama, alongside psychology and biology, which she hopes will pave the way for a possible carer in healthcare, including midwifery. Evie will study geography, biology and psychology and has her sights set on studying at university in Edinburgh.
William Gosling achieved 6s and 8s with high scores in maths, physics, and BTECs in enterprise and creative media production.
Angus Aldersen-Beeching had his mum and sister which him when he got his results and celebrated seven strong passes.
Whilst Jake Warburton and Sam Wilson opened their results with friends. And Sarah Harris’s results meant that she was heading for sixth form enrolment with her mum Claire.
Mr Henneberry added: “We are incredibly proud of our students. Their impressive results reflect individuals’ excellent commitment and determination to do well. With the support of their parents, carers and our staff they’ve also developed greater resilience to excel in their studies.
“We look forward to welcoming many of them back into Sixth Form and wish all our pupils every success and happiness as they begin the next stage in their education, training or employment.
“We’re also here helping those who need to rethink their options. Either from doing better than expected or being disappointed by their results.” adds Steven.
Ullswater Community College, Penrith
Headteacher Stephen Gilby said: “Here at Ullswater Community College we are incredibly proud to serve our children and their families.
“The students have once again demonstrated their commitment, resilience and dedication to their studies with these wonderful collective results. Their achievements are all the more special given the challenges many families have faced over recent years and we congratulate them all on the manner in which they have conducted themselves as well as the efforts they have made.
“We know the vast majority of students will be pleased with their results and now have the keys to go on to their anticipated destinations in September.
“Their results reflect the hard work and dedication they have put in and brings to the fore all the support they have received from their families and the teachers here at Ullswater. My personal congratulations to each and every one of them!”
Some examples of the grades achieved include:
- Courtney Kirkwood: 9,9,9,9,9,8,7,7,7
- Jessica Rudd: 9,9,9,9,A*,8,8,8,7
- Lukas Lewthwaite: 9,9,9,8,8,8,8,7,7
- James Lancaster: 9,9,9,8,8,8,8,7,5
- Ronan Doig: 9,8,8,7,7,7,7,7,6
- Sam Gould: 9,9,8,8,7,7,6,6,6
- Izzy Weetman: 9,8,8,8,7,7,7,7,5
Whitehaven Academy
Headteacher of The Whitehaven Academy, Nigel Youngman, said: “This morning has been a chance to celebrate with students who have overcome huge challenges over the past few years. Results this year have been hard won and it is satisfying to see students achieve success across a range of subjects.
“Throughout the courses, students have been wonderfully supported by staff giving up evenings, weekends and holidays to help our students achieve the results they deserve and we are incredibly lucky to have such a committed team.
“Naturally, we are delighted to see students secure strong grades, but equally, it has been deeply satisfying to see students push themselves hard to get on to the courses they have chosen, regardless of the level. There are individuals who have overcome huge personal challenges and whose modesty is humbling.
“Positive successes for classes in vocational, practical and creative subjects run alongside the Access Project University, where our students benefit from additional tuition and the guidance that Access provides.
“As many of this cohort move on to our successful West Coast Sixth Form (partnered with Workington Academy), we look forward to building on future successes across GCSE and Post-16 next year.”
Erin Cleeton achieved a grade 9 in history and religious studies plus a grade 8 in biology, chemistry, maths and physics.
She also achieved grade 7 in English language, English literature and Spanish. She also achieved a Distinction* in multi-media. Erin is looking forward to attending West Coast Sixth Form to continue her studies.
Isabelle Ritson achieved a grade 9 in religious studies plus a grade 8 in history. She also achieved grade 7 in biology, chemistry, English language, maths, physics and Spanish. She also achieved a Distinction* in multi media. Isabelle is looking forward to attending West Coast Sixth Form to continue her studies.
William Howard School, Brampton
Headteacher Kath Pigdon said: “Schools throughout Cumbria have always been focused on working closely with our children, their families and the communities in which they serve and today’s GCSE results have shown the resilience and dedication that our Cumbrian youngsters have given to their studies.
“As we continue to work through the cost of living crisis, it is astounding that our students have achieved such great results. We are so proud of the manner in which our students have conducted themselves during these challenging times.
“The challenge of Level 2 study has meant our students have been faced with adversity, but we are so proud of how our students have achieved their desired results to move on to our sixth form, apprenticeships or subsequent college courses.
Today is about celebrating some of the incredible achievements of our young people. It is for this reason that we like to recognise the individual success stories below and congratulate all the young people on their achievements today and wish them all the very best for the future.”
Pleasing results achieved included:
- Amelie McCarron achieved grade 9s in English Language and PE and a range of 8s and 7s in Science, History and French. She will be returning to Sixth Form to continue her studies.
- Evan Macdonald showed outstanding achievement in English Literature achieving a grade 9 and grade 7s and 8s in all other subjects. He will be returning to Sixth Form to continue his studies.
- Briagha Nugent achieved grade 9s and 8s in Biology, Chemistry, Geography, History, PE and Physics. She will be returning to Sixth Form to continue her studies.
- Lydia Pickett achieved a grade 9 in Physics, Chemistry, German, History and Spanish. She will be returning to Sixth Form to continue her studies.
Student Hannah Scott said: “I’m really happy with my results, some grades are higher than I was expecting.”
Hannah is continuing into sixth form at William Howard School to study history, geography, philosophy and English literature.
Rae Platton said: “The journey to school felt very long this morning, but I’m relieved my results are better than I expected.”
James Alvarez-Buylla said: “I’m very happy. I’ll be staying on in sixth form to take all the sciences – biology, chemistry and physics.”
Workington Academy
It has been a fantastic morning at Workington Academy as the students have arrived to receive and celebrate their 2023 GCSE results.
Mark Bedford, headteacher, said: “We are proud to be a Cumbrian school that connects with our children, their families and our wider community. Following our values of Respect, Responsibility and Resilience, we can see that our students have these qualities in abundance, with the GCSE results showing their dedication to working hard and carving a path to their own success.
“Our young people have had a number of unique challenges over the past few years with a pandemic and cost of living crisis and so the results from today are all the more special.
“More so than ever, students have been faced with adversity, along with the challenge that GCSE study brings, but the skills and strategies our young people have developed during their time at Workington Academy will ensure that they continue to be successful and resilient throughout their lives.
“Our students reflect our ethos of ‘Be the Best You Can Be’ with each student striving for their own personal success. Today is about celebrating some of the incredible achievements of our young people and we are incredibly proud of the students who have achieved the results required to move on to sixth form, college or an apprenticeship and we wish them well for the future.”
Pleasing results achieved included:
- Gregory Jones achieved a grade 9 in Biology, Physics and Geography. He also gained a grade 8 in Maths and Design Technology, achieving a grade 7 in English Language, English Literature and Chemistry. He also achieved a Distinction* in Sports Science.
- Zuzanna Mirenska achieved a grade 9 in Art and Polish. She achieved a grade 7 in Maths and Geography and a grade 6 in Biology, Chemistry, Physics, German and English Language. Zuzanna will be returning to West Coast Sixth Form.
- Kate Neesham who achieved a grade 9 in History, Maths and English Language. She also achieved a grade 8 in Physics and a grade 7 in Art, Chemistry, English Literature, French and Biology. Kate will be returning to West Coast Sixth Form.
- Alfie Rosser achieved a grade 8 in Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Computer Science and Maths. He also gained a grade 7 in Geography a grade 6 in English Language and Literature and a grade 5 in French. Alfie will be returning to West Coast Sixth Form.
If students are unsure what to do next, parents, carers or pupils can contact the National Careers Service Exam Results Helpline on 0800 100 900.
If pupils are unhappy with your GCSE grade, they should first talk to your school or college.
- How did you do in your GCSEs? Celebrate your success with us – email admin@cumbriacrack.com with your celebration pictures!
