A-level results joy for Cumbrian students

Early indications show that there are some outstanding performances from schools and individuals, including a number of teenagers who will be looking forward to taking up places at Oxbridge universities.

At Cockermouth School, half the A-level students gained all A* to B grades, about seven per cent up of last year.

Twenty-two students achieved only A* and A grades.

About a third of year 13s are expected to join either Russell Group or the top 20 universities.

Headteacher Rob Petrie said: "It's outstanding. It's been a fantastic year at the school.

"For a comprehensive school it's absolutely fantastic. I'm delighted for every single one of them.

"It's about instilling high aspirations in students. To see them fulfil that today makes our jobs worthwhile. It's a lovely moment."

Charlotte Dumbill, head of sixth form, added: "We're extremely pleased with the overall results. It's testament to the hard work of the staff who have prepared them really well.

"The support of parents is an important part. We really do work together. "It's a happy day for us."

Richard Sharpe, 18, of Brigham Road, is heading to Imperial College, London to study chemical engineering after securing A*s in physics and maths and As in chemistry and further maths.

He said: "I went to an open day and I liked the look of the course. "I'm pleased to get my top choice. "I feel really happy." Emily Hick, 18, of Cockermouth, achieved an A* in maths and As in physics and further maths.

She said: "They were what I wanted. I feel good. "It's been a lot of work over multiple years. "I'm relieved and glad it's over."

Emily is heading to Sheffield University to study maths before deciding on a career path.

Alistair Martin, 18, of Woodville Park, is also heading to Sheffield University, studying medicine as he seeks to become a doctor.

He secured an A* in biology and As in chemistry and maths. Alistair said: "I'm buzzing. I'm off to my first choice university.

"The work was pretty rough at the time but it's worth it."

Megan Crossman, 18, of Allerby, achieved an A* in psychology and Bs in history and English literature. She plans to study psychology at Southampton University and is still considering her future career choice.

She said: "I feel amazing. It's incredible. "It's been lots of hard work and effort but it's worth it."

Jenn Bradley, 18, of Tallentire, is hoping for a career in the RAF after securing an A* in religious studies and As in maths and chemistry, beyond the two Cs she needed to apply.

She said: "I'm interested in the whole excitement element and the lifestyle that surrounds it.

"I'm really chuffed. It was a lot of hard work but hard work pays off."

Catherine Dumbill, 18, of Bridekirk, got A*s in biology and physics and As in maths and history.

She is going to Oxford University to study human sciences.

Eventually she plans to go into teaching but would like to follow a different career path first.

Catherine said: "I feel really good. It was definitely hard work but it's paid off. "It's definitely been worth it."

Harriet Wigginton, 18, of Pardshaw, secured As in geography, biology and maths and will study geography at Oxford University.

She is planning a career in conservation. Harriet said: "I have always been interested in the outside world. "I feel massively relieved. It's what I needed.

"I started revising in about January. I'm just relieved it's done."

Jasmine Cox, 18, of Eaglesfield, missed out on her target grades, gaining Cs in psychology and biology and a D in drama and theatre studies but still secured her favoured place at Coventry University to study criminology.

At Keswick School three quarters of the grades handed out today are A*-Cs, with 110 being A* or A.

A number of subjects have seen all students achieve a top A*-C grade, headteacher Simon Jackson revealed. They are English language, further maths, German, religious studies, music technology and systems and control.

In other subjects, 91 per cent of grades in the school's English literature results were A*-C with 80 per cent reaching the same standard in maths.

Top performing students included Phillip Jennings (Frizington) achieved A*A*A*A*A, Daniel Cowperthwaite (Keswick) achieved A*A*AA, Heather Dempsey (Workington) achieved A*A*AA, Reece Fleming (Workington) achieved A*A*A, Jonathan Piercy (Keswick) achieved A*A*A, Hannah Yare (Keswick) achieved A*A*A, Caitlin Little (Workington) achieved A*AAA, Alice Ma (Keswick) achieved A*AAA Thomas Muir (Keswick) achieved A*AA.

Simon Jackson, headteacher, said: "Over the last two years these students have grown in confidence in our happy and ambitious school community.

"They can now look forward to a bright future at university and beyond. As well as being extremely hard working this success is also down to an inspirational staff who provide exceptional opportunities for all our students to develop as individuals."

Sixth form students who took business and computing at Keswick School have enjoyed particular success too, with 27 distinction stars being awarded.

Jonathon Piercy, of Borrowdale Road, woke up early to check online whether he had got his first choice of the University of Bath.

"I found out that I'd got in before I came to collect my results which was nice because it took the all the pressure off," said the 18-year-old who earned two A*s in chemistry and maths, as well as an A in physics.

He is going on to study chemical engineering.

His friend, Dan Ball of Windebrow Avenue, booked himself a place at Northumbria University studying drama after achieving a B in German and Cs in media studies and drama.

Mr Jackson said Dan has been involved in almost every school production over the years.

Dan said: "I didn't check on online so I didn't know what I'd got until I got here," said the 18-year-old. "It was a pleasant surprise to get in to Northumbria which makes it all worth it after a tough year."

Amy Lord, 18, of Eleventrees, achieved two As in chemistry and maths and a B in physics. She is going on to study chemistry at the University of St Andrews.

She said: "I was definitely not expecting this because the exams were really tough. I'm just glad it's all over.

"I want to work in pharmaceuticals because I like the idea of helping people and improving their quality of life."

Amy, who is also a talented musician, praised the school and her teachers for their support during throughout her studies.

Charlotte Orton, 18, of Great Broughton, earned three As in an extended project qualification, maths, physics and a B in biology.

Charlotte, who is also a successful athlete, will study biomedical materials at the University of Birmingham.

"Biomedical materials looks at things like prosthetic limbs which is something I found really interesting when I did work experience," she said.

"I also wanted to go to Birmingham because the uni has really good sporting facilities."

Caitlin Little, of Barepot, near Workington said she was going to jump into a pool at a friend's house to celebrate achieving an A* in maths and three As in further maths, physics and chemistry.

She will study maths at Durham University.

She said: "I was expecting my grades to be a little bit lower so I'm surprised. I was quite calm today and over the summer because you can't change how you've done. I was stressing out before the 14 exams I had, but it's all worth it now."

Neil Hadfield, head of sixth form, said: “I add my congratulations to the year 13 students who have worked with dedication and commitment throughout the last two years to achieve great success.

"They have been supported by enthusiastic and hard working teachers, their parents and one another."

David Tromans, headteacher of Netherhall School in Maryport, said: “We are really pleased the children have all got the grades they need to go on to University employment or further training.

"These are great children and a great school with quality teaching and the children have done well. They've surpassed previous expectations and we're really pleased.

Rebecca Mitchell, 17, of Maryport, got three Bs in English, history and geography and is going to study law at Northumbria.

She said: "I thought I'd done badly I didn't think I was going to get the grades I got, so I'm happy and really relieved."

Chloe Pearson, 18, of Broughton Moor, did health and social care got a distinction *, C in English language, C in RE.

She said: "That was what I wanted and it's better than what I thought.” She is going to Northumbria University to study adult nursing.

Ellie Barcock, 18, of Maryport, did health and social care and got an A*, got an A* in ICT and a B in history.

She said: "I feel great, so relieved, I got what I wanted. I was surprised with my history grade." She said she did not know what she was going to do next and was looking at options.

Katie Fleming, 18, of Maryport, she got A* in health and social care, B in history, A* in ICT she is going to University of Cumbria to do adult nursing.

She said: “I'm happy I didn't expect to get A*s at all, I've still got a few weeks to wait before university, but I'm excited."

Louisa Blackburn, 18, of Dearham, got a distinction * in health and social care, C in art, C in English language and B in RE.

She said: “I'm happy, I was a bit surprised especially for English and RE.”

She is going to study children and early years at Northumbria University.

Lewis Southwell, 18, of Maryport, got an A in art, B in media and a C in ICT and is going to the University of Manchester to study business management.

He said: “I'm quite overwhelmed it doesn't feel real. It's weird because I'd pretty much convinced myself that I wasn't going to get in."

Jessica Douglas, 18, of Maryport, B in RE, A in health and social care, A* in ICT, she is going to do business management at Manchester Metropolitan University.

She said: "I'm chuffed with my results they are better than I expected."

At Workington Academy, 78 per cent of pupils have applied for university.

Headteacher Jonathan Logan said: "This is a great day for Workington Academy, our students have done us proud and we are delighted by their achievements.

“There are several students who have achieved A grades in more than one of their subjects and several others have achieved distinctions and above.

“We are looking forward to moving into our new school in February, which has specialist sixth form facilities and I'm sure we'll go from strength to strength.”

Lewis Maxwell, 18, of Workington, achieved A* in maths.

He said: “I'm very happy, I was aiming for an A*. I've just been accepted at Newcastle University to study maths and I'm very proud because that was my first choice.

“I'm not sure what I want to do in the future, that's why I kept it as broad as possible with my choice of studies.”

Glen Brown, 18, of Workington, achieved As English literature and psychology.

He said: “I was quite surprised, I didn't think I'd do so well.

“I'm looking forward to starting an apprenticeship in nuclear welding inspecting.

“It's been a quite difficult year, especially in the exam season, but all the hard work has paid off.”

Beth Hilton, 18, of Workington, is looking forward to studying film making at Leeds Beckett University.

She said: “I'm very pleased with my results. I got an A* in both media and IT, it was what I was aiming for but it wasn't the target grade I was given.

“Film making has always been a passion of mine and I'm hoping I can get into the film or TV industry.”

Heather Taylor, 18, of Workington, is proud of her A* in art.

She will go on to study fine arts at Dundee University.

She said: “It's been a stressful year and I've put a lot of work in.

“Art is the subject I've put most work into.

“I've always had an interest in art and I'd like to try the creative career path and hopefully going to uni will help me decide exactly what I want to do.”

Sam Northwood, headteacher of Nelson Thomlinson School, believes that today's results could rank among the best the Wigton secondary school has seen in the last 10 years.

He said: "Early indications are that the vast majority of our students have been successful in securing their offers for university, apprenticeships or work-related training.

"We are particularly pleased with the students’ average points score of 965, which is likely to rank once again amongst the very best in the county."

It is an improving picture at one sixth form in Carlisle too.

The proportion of A* and A grades at A-level and distinctions and distinction stars awarded in vocational qualifications have both increased at Richard Rose Sixth Form.

Stephen Gilby, associate principal of Richard Rose Central Academy which hosts the sixth form, said: "I’d like to congratulate each of our students for these well-deserved results which will open the doors to universities, apprenticeships, professions and their chosen careers as a result of all their hard work."

Headteacher Chris McAree has also seen improvements in results as he prepares to leave Caldew School, Dalston.

All of the students who sat exams at the Dalston school have achieved two or more A-level passes today. A third have gained at least one A grade too.

Mr McAree said: "The students deserve congratulating on achieving excellent results again this year. Overall the results have maintained our strong record at A-level with improvements in many areas to celebrate. "We are particularly pleased that a third of the students have achieved at least one grade A, but equally so that 100 per cent of students have two or more A-level passes.

"The pass rate for AS exams has also improved since last year despite the introduction of the new more rigorous exams."

• The University of Cumbria has opened a special Clearing call centre early this morning for students still hoping to secure a place on one of its courses this autumn. Its hotline is 08081 787 373.