West Cumbrian students go to the top of the class

Maryport’s Netherhall School announced its best ever results at A-level in the school’s history.

With 64 per cent of students getting A* to C and 47 per cent of students getting the top grades the school has beaten last year’s ‘best ever’ for another record breaking performance.

Jonathan Johnson, headteacher, said: “We are consistently achieving better and better, year-on-year and I am delighted with this year’s results.

“It shows the hard work and dedication of both the students and the staff. We have a very strong sixth form that makes me extremely proud.”

Head boy Scott Peel, 18, of School Close, gained an A* in maths and As in physics, further maths and religious education and will go on to study maths at Durham University.

Head girl Faye Watson, 18, of Hutton Place, gained an A* in health and social care, an A in religious education and Bs in history and geography.

She will study primary teaching at University of Cumbria.

Chris Waite, 18, of The Beeches, gained a B in geography, a C in biology and distinction stars in health and social and IT.

He will study personal training and nutrition at the University of Central Lancashire.

He said: “I’m really happy, it’s what I needed to get into university and that’s what matters.

“I already kind of knew I had the distinctions in the bag so I just took my mind off the other results.”

Lauren Hamilton, 18, of Gilmour Street, gained Bs in history and religious education and a distinction star in health and social care.

She will study history, theology and religion at University of Leeds.

She said: “I feel like I’m going to pass out but I’m content.”

Jessica Warren, 18, of Garborough Close, Crosby, gained an A* in health and social care, A in religious education and D in English language.

She will study a business and admin course at Sellafield.

She said: “I had a trial with them which I haven’t heard back about yet. “I’m pleased, I was quite nervous so it’s a relief to get them.”

At Cockermouth School, the overall pass rate was about 99 per cent, with around 75 per cent of students achieving A*-C grades.

More than a quarter got at least one A and five students gained three or four A*s.

Most students achieved their planned university places, with a quarter taking up places at Russell Group universities.

Dr Rob Petrie, headteacher, said results day was about the students’ personal successes rather than headline figures.

He added: “What it’s really about is the kids going on to do what they want to do next. That’s us doing our job right.

“This excellent set of results is a testament to the hard work of students, the sustained dedication of staff and continued support from parents.

“I am proud of all our students’ achievements.”

Annie Paine, 18, of Cockermouth, got A*s in maths, further maths and physics and an A in computing.

She is heading to Oxford University to study maths before deciding on a career path.

Hannah Lewis, 18, of Willow Lane, Cockermouth, will get theatrical experience during a gap year before applying to drama school in the next step towards a planned career as an actress.

She got an A* in performing arts and As in English literature and history.

She said: “I owe Cockermouth School a lot because they really believed in me.

“I know it sounds mega cheesy but they did.

“I don’t think I’d have got these results without having teachers and a school that are so good.”

Callum Foster, 18, of Simonscales Lane, Cockermouth, got an A* in religious studies and Bs in business studies and applied science.

He will take up a four-year welding inspection apprenticeship with Gen2.

Callum said: “Hopefully I’ll end up working at Sellafield.

“I think I’m ready to work rather than just learn.”

Stephen Cole, 18, of Little Broughton, got A*s in biology, chemistry, maths and French and an A* in his extended project, worth half an A-level.

He is going to study natural sciences at Cambridge University and is looking to work in science journalism.

He said: “It’s a big relief to know that the hard work has got me where I need to be. My results are better than I expected.”

Workington Sixth Form Centre also surpassed last year’s record scores.

At A-level, students gaining the top grade of A-star have doubled in proportion whilst, for vocational courses, the top A-grade was achieved by 46 per cent of students.

Ninety-nine per cent of its students achieve A to E grades and 46 per cent got either an A or a distinction in their subject.

Seventy-six per cent of students who applied for a Russell Group university were successful - the centre’s highest success rate.

Stephen Hunter-Brown, head of sixth form, said: “We are pleased with the results which are up on last year. The staff and students have worked really hard.”

“We are very proud of the students and this is a testament to the amount of work done and the students have gone above and beyond.”

Lorrayne Hughes, executive headteacher, said: “Students, parents and staff have worked together tremendously, and have been rewarded with these excellent grades.”

The centre will be replaced in the autumn term by the sixth form at the new Workington Academy.

Daniel Williamson, 18, of Workington, got three A* grades in maths, further maths and physics and got a distinction star in IT.

He will do a year-long placement at Atkins before going to Lancaster University next year to do engineering.

He said: “I’m really happy with the results. I was expecting to do well, but not that well.

“I have had to work hard. I really focused in my AS levels and although it was intense all the way through it was worth it.”

Kayleigh McManus, 18, of Seaton, will go to Edge Hill University to study mental health nursing.

She got an A and a B in double health and social care and a B in psychology and will start her course in September.

She said: “The stress was worth it. The staff put in so much to help us out of school time and it was worth it. If I had gone somewhere bigger I don’t think I would have done as well.”

Matthew Smith, 18, of Barepot, has sealed his place on the University of Manchester’s chemical engineering course.

He exceeded his own expectations with an A* in maths and As in chemistry and physics and will start his four-year course next month.

He said: “I had no idea that I would have done that well. I needed three As to get into university but that A* has given me a lift, given that I got a C in maths last year.”

Keswick School beat last year’s record-breaking figures with an A*-C pass rate of 84 per cent compared to last year’s 83 per cent.

It saw 20 per cent of its 120 year 13 students achieve an A* grade, six per cent up on last year.

Simon Jackson, headteacher, said: “These are our best results ever and we thought we had done well last year.

“I’m delighted that the efforts of the students have been rewarded and congratulate them on their results.

“Year 13 were a remarkable year group and richly deserve this success.

“It is all down to the ethos and culture of the students and the support they receive from the staff. They pulled out all the stops.

“It shows a great resilience from our students during the turbulence of education this year.”

The school’s joint top achievers were Kim Robinson, 18, of Workington, and Matthew Blair, 18, of Whitehaven, who each got four A*s.

Kim, who received the Steven Luckman bursary to support her study in science and maths at the school, got A-levels in chemistry, physics, maths and further maths.

She will go on to read maths at University College, Oxford.