VIDEOS: West Cumbria students celebrate A-level success

Staff at Netherhall School in Maryport are overjoyed at this year's results.

The school, which is in special measures, saw a rise in results across the board, with 100 per cent receiving A* to E grades.

The school saw its A*-A pass rate rise from 30 per cent last year to 46 per cent this year.

A*-B grades went from 50 per cent to 66 per cent.

A* to C grades went from 75 per cent to 86 per cent.

Head of sixth form, Mark Bailey, said: "We will have students going all over the country to study the courses they want based on their results."

He paid tribute to staff saying their dedication to the students and the hard work of all concerned had led to these results.

Chairman of governors Jan Clarke said: "We are delighted. For a school in special measures to have this kind of increase shows the work of the staff and students."

Among those getting their results was Jack Harrison, 18, of Netherton.

He said he had done better than he expected, gaining an A in history and Bs in English language and RE.

He is heading to the University of Cumbria to student English literature.

Adam Southward, 18, of King Street, Maryport, secured a place at University of Central Lancashire to study pure maths by gaining As in maths and physics and a B in chemistry.

Jack Hewitson, 18, of Netherton, will study English literature at the University of Cumbria after getting his required A in history and Bs in English language and RE.

Darcy Towers, 18, from Ellenborough, received a distinction* in health and social care, an A in RE and a C in history.

"I could really have done with a B in history, but I think I will be okay."

She wants to study business management and marketing at the Newcastle University next month.

Seventeen pupils at Cockermouth School gained all A* and A grades with some gaining full marks in the majority of their papers.

Headteacher Rob Petrie said: "We are delighted with the successes of all our students."

The school's four Oxford and Cambridge applicants secured their university places.

Jack Wilson will study medicine, Hazel Naylor geography and Matthew Proctor history, all at Oxford, while Jonathan Wynne will study natural sciences at Cambridge.

Matthew, 18, of Tallentire, gained an A* in psychology and As in history and English literature.

He said: "I feel pretty chuffed. I was expecting a bit of a disappointment but those grades have met my university offer."

Jonathan, 18, of High Lorton, got A*s in maths, further maths, physics and chemistry.

He said: "I was hoping for four A*s, I don't know about expecting. I feel really pleased and I'm glad I met my uni offer."

Luke Ely, 18, of Strawberry How, got A*s in maths, further maths and physics. He will study computer science at Imperial College in London.

He said: "I feel really happy. I wasn't expecting these results so I'm very surprised."

Beth Middleton, 18, of Greysouthen, got two A*s in geography and art and design, and an A in English language.

She said: "I'm over the moon. I can't believe it. I was waiting in the car park for the doors to open to get my results.

"I'm really excited to go to Lancaster University to study geography in September."

Elouise Lawler, 18, of Cockermouth, got an A* in biology, As in geography and maths. She said: "I'm happy. They were my predicted grades but I still didn't expect it."

She is going to Bristol University to study geography.

Sam Cooke, 18, of Gable Avenue, Cockermouth, got A* in physics and As in maths and further maths.

He said: "I'm very happy and very surprised. I was expecting A, B, B so I'm happy with my results."

He's going to Heriot Watt University to study physics and maths.

Archie Milton, 18, of Brigham, got A*s in physics and maths and an A in further maths and is heading to Lancaster University to study physics.

He said: "I'm pretty chuffed. It's better than expected."

At Whitehaven Academy 100 per cent of pupils gained A* to G grades for the first time since the school became an academy. The school said the results were 16 per cent up on last year and put the success down to changes made this year under the Bright Tribe Trust and the leadership of principal Warren Turner.

The school's grades were higher than the national average in some subjects, with the number of A* to B grades in maths up by 50 per cent.

Mr Turner said: "We are delighted to see results at Whitehaven Academy improve by such a significant percentage.

"For the first time in the history of the academy we have a 100 per cent pass rate at A level, with outstanding results in business studies and mathematics, where all students achieved A* to B grades, putting Whitehaven amongst the best schools in the North West for mathematics.

"Our transformative approach has also been reflected in the AS level results which have seen a massive increase of over 30 per cent.

"This year's A-level students have worked incredibly hard and we are immensely proud of all their individual achievements. Congratulations to everyone and the best of luck for the future."

Hannah Thurogood, 18, of Whitehaven, got an A in applied business and an A and B in double health and social care. She is preparing for a project control apprenticeship with Balfour Beatty.

She said: "I was excited to get my results and I was pleased that I got what I wanted.

"I want to do my apprenticeship and then do a degree through the company."

Melissa Palmer, 18, of The Highlands, Whitehaven, got an A in applied art and a B in psychology and will stay at the academy for another year to do a fine art A-level. She then wants to do an art-related degree at university.

She said: "I'm elated. I did better than I thought I would, although I worked really hard for art."

Owen Beech, 18, of Hillcrest, Whitehaven, is going to study medical neuroscience at the University of Sussex after getting an A in maths, B in biology and C in chemistry.

He said: "It felt good. I'm a bit tired. My mam phoned me to get me up early. I was nervous but I was trying not to think about it."

There was no time for celebration for Owen, who had to head to work until midnight after picking up his results.

Chloe Fisher, 18, of Whitehaven, got Cs in psychology, English literature and applied art. She is going to do a degree in film studies and creative writing at Keele University. She'd like to go into the film industry.

She said: "I felt nervous even though I knew I'd got into my university. I was excited, though. I know I worked hard."

At St Benedict's School in Whitehaven, Eloise Marsland, 18, of who lives in the town, gained A*s in maths, further maths, chemistry and biology.

She said: "I'm so chuffed, I really can't believe it."

She will be going to the University of Sheffield to study medicine and said she was really excited. She will be celebrating her results with friends.

Shirley Tan, 18, of Whitehaven, gained an A in philosophy and ethics, and Bs in product design and English language.

She said: "All the stress and revision was worth it."

Shirley was excited to be going on to study law at Newcastle University.

Maisie Diamond-Smith gained a B in health and social care and Cs in history and sociology. She was really pleased with her results and is looking to join the police.

Robbie Arins, 18, of Whitehaven, gained three As in German, maths and chemistry and an A in AS level biology.

He said: "I'm pleased with the results. I got what I needed to go to study maths at Lancaster University.

"I'm excited about going to university and looking forward to it."

His proud dad Aigars is a subject leader for modern languages at the school. He said: "He has worked hard for so long in the run-up to the exams. I think this is well-deserved."

Matthew Wishart, 17, of Whitehaven, gained an A in English language and Bs in history and chemistry. The teenager, who will celebrate his 18th birthday on Saturday, is looking forward to studying law at Durham University.

James Buchan gained an A* and two As and will be studying electrical engineering in Newcastle.

Joseph Crone gained a distinction*, two As and a B. He will be studying maths at Newcastle.

About three quarters of pupils at Keswick School secured their first choice university places, with the remainder set to take up apprenticeships or other qualifications.

Head girl Bethan Savage achieved four A*s and an A and will head to Brasenose College at Oxford University to read law and German law.

She said: "Keswick School has shaped me into the person I am. I’ll always be thankful for that and will definitely come back to visit in the future."

Head boy Jamie Suddaby achieved three A*s and scored 100 per cent in maths. He will study biochemistry at the University of Leeds.

"Keswick School has been like home for seven years. I’ve loved all the subjects, got on really well with the teachers, made great friends and I’ll definitely stay in touch with everyone. It’s one of the best schools in the country in the best place in the country."

At Workington Academy , Gemma Snodden, 18, who lives in the town, got As in maths and further maths and a B in business studies. She will study maths at Lancaster University.

She said: "I had to work hard but I'm happy with my results, especially with further maths.

"I don't really know what I want to do in the future but I wanted to do maths at uni because I like the subject and I'm looking forward to starting."

Gemma is currently doing a student placement at Iggesund and is looking forward to enjoying some holidays before heading to university.

Holly Harkness, 17, of Workington, got an A in English literature and Bs in drama and history.

She said: "It's been a hard year but it's paid off. I'm really happy with my English literature result because I didn't think I was going to get an A."

Holly will go on to study history at the University Of York.

She said: "I would like to be a curator in a museum. I've always had a passion for history and I'm excited about going to uni."

Holly, who is also a member of Workington Amateur Operatic Sociaty, will be celebrating her 18th birthday at the weekend by visiting King Richard III Visitor Centre in Leicester, seeing a reenactment of the Battle Of Bosworth Field and watching a Shakespeare production in Stratford.

She said: "I think I've been reasonably level headed during the year although I had a bit of a panic on exam day.

"My teachers have been very supportive throughout the year and I'm very grateful to them."

Charlotte Nicholson, 18, of Workington, got a A* in art and Bs in English language and business studies.

Charlotte, who will study printed textiles and surface design at Leeds School Of Art, said: "Art is what I enjoyed doing during sixth form. It's been hard this year but it's all worth it when you get your results back."

At West Lakes Academy in Egremont, Katy Alderson, 18, from Nethertown, was congratulated by her mother and first teacher Sue after securing a place at Leeds University to study economics and geography. She achieved an A* in biology and two As in maths and chemistry.

Sue Alderson, who is also a governor at the academy, taught her daughter at Beckermet Primary School.

She said: "It's fabulous. She's always worked so hard. It's fully deserved, there was hundreds of post-it notes around our house."

Katy said: "I'm excited, I'm really pleased the hard work has paid off."

Head girl Emily Taylor, 18, from Drigg, achieved an A* in maths and two As in biology and chemistry. She will go to Edinburgh University to study medicine and biological chemistry.

Head boy Tom Bold, 18, from Egremont, got an A* in maths and two As in further maths and chemistry. He is going to Newcastle University to study maths.

"I was confident but I couldn't sleep last night," said Tom. "But I checked UCAS this morning and I'd got in. As long as I got in I didn't mind what the grades were."

Charlotte Jackson, 18, from Thornhill, received three As in biology, chemistry and maths and will now go to Gen2 to complete a scientific degree level apprenticeship.

"I feel amazing," she said. "I'm overwhelmed, I was so nervous. I'm looking forward to starting my apprenticeship."

Catherine Lobb, 18, of Egremont, got two A*s in biology and chemistry and an A in maths. She is going to Leeds University to study natural sciences.

Barry Simpson, assistant principal and head of sixth form at the academy, said: "It is a pleasure to see so many ecstatic students receiving what can only be described as another set of fantastic results for themselves and also West Lakes Academy.

"These students have dedicated themselves to two years of intensive study and this effort has culminated in some exceptional individual performances.

"The most important thing about these results however is that they have provided a pathway not only for our students to further their education but to also begin higher and advanced level apprenticeships within the local area and begin to return the benefit of their studies to the local area and industries."

At the Energy Coast UTC , students picked up A-level results and Btec level three vocational qualifications, which are equivalent to A-levels.

The college's engineering results were in the top 10 per cent in the country last year and staff said this year's results were even better, with every student who studied triple engineering achieving a triple distinction*.

Principal Cherry Tingle said: "I would like to thank all our staff for their excellent teaching and support of our students, our students for all their hard work, and employer partners and parents for their commitment. Working together we have secured the next step in an exciting future for every one of our young people."

Rebecca Telford, 19, of Whitehaven, gained a triple distinction* in engineering. She said: "It's what I wanted."

She said she could not wait to start an electrical and instrumentation apprenticeship with Sellafield next month.

Josh Donald, 18, of Aspatria, gained a triple distinction* in engineering, a distinction* in business, a C in science and a D in maths. He is set to complete a degree apprenticeship at the National Nuclear Laboratory with a view to working in nuclear design. He said: "I feel like all the hard work has paid off."

Stephen Gascoigne, 18, of Cockermouth, gained a triple distinction* in engineering and a distinction* in business, an A in maths and a C in physics; the equivalent of six high-grade A-levels. He was excited to start a degree apprenticeship in control systems through Gen2 with Sellafield. He said: "It's amazing, I wasn't expecting them. "When I was getting towards my exams I was in my room every night grafting away. "It was worth it."

A number of schools across the county chose not to release their overall results today, following changes to the qualifications.

A joint statement, released by schools including Cockermouth School, Keswick School, Workington Academy, and West Lakes Academy at Egremont, said: "The continued hard work of the students and the inspirational teaching of our colleagues has been rewarded with these A level results.

"They underline the seven-year commitment to study. There are many changes to A level course content. We are making sure that individually and collectively schools in Cumbria are able to share accurate information with the media and the public who are as keen as we are to celebrate the successes of our students and to congratulate our school staff.

"As always there are a number of queries over re-marks and grade boundaries and so, once the official DfE September checking exercise has been completed we will issue our headline data. For now, it is essential we focus on success of each of our individual the students."

Millom School students are celebrating their A-level, AS level and vocational examination results.

The school said it is proud to report a high level of success, with most of the new courses achieving 100 per cent pass rate A*-E.

Students on the Sixth Form’s new vocational courses, business and applied science, had a 100 per cent pass rate with students achieving the top grade.

Matt Savidge, headteacher, said he is delighted with the results and is proud of students. He said students have the opportunity to go to university or do apprenticeships.

He said: "This year, students will be going to study at universities such as Lancaster, Sheffield and Edge Hill to study a range of courses including product design, creative writing, computing games programming, education and motorsport engineering. We hope that students draw confidence from their success as they move on to a new phase in their lives and I offer congratulations to them all."

Pupil Kathryn Phillips achieved an A*, three As and one B and is set to study Biology at Lancaster University.

Clare Steele plans on studying at the University of Sheffield on the Applied Social Sciences course and is celebrating her achievement of four As and one B.