PUPILS at Uttoxeter’s largest school have achieved record numbers of top grades in this year’s GCSE results.
Among those were 32 individual students who achieved at least three A* grades each and 25 who achieved at least five A* grades each.
Overall 69 per cent achieved the benchmark of five A*- C grades, slightly down on last year, while 54 per cent achieved five A*- C grades in English and maths.
The school’s top performer was Tabitha de Soyza, from Bramshall, who achieved an incredible 10 A*s and 2 A grades, and she told the Advertiser she was ‘in shock’ at the results.
She said: “I thought I could get about three As so to come out with that — I am just in shock at the moment.
“I am really looking forward to going on to the sixth form now and studying French, English language, maths and psychology.” Other notable achievers in Thursday’s results were Victoria Conway, from Bramshall, who received nine A*s, two As and a B and Ione Smallwood, from Farley near Alton, who received seven A*s and four As.
Victoria said she was ‘absolutely over the moon’ with her grades.
She said: “I was very nervous coming up to get the results today so to get these grades was a really nice surprise.
“I am now going to the JCB Academy to study business and maths as that is the area I’m interested in.” Ione was also surprised at her terrific results.
She said: “I am completely delighted and I beat my sister so I am really happy. It was like Christmas when I opened the results.” Annabel Nash, from Uttoxeter, was also a star performer achieving seven A*s and five As.
She said: “I am really happy as my results were a lot better than I expected. I am going to continue here into sixth form and study chemistry, biology, psychology and geography.” Of the boys Liam Turner, from Alton, received excellent results including six A*s and four As, and praised his ‘brilliant’ teachers for his success.
He said: “The results are fantastic and I did not expect to do that well. But I worked really hard for it and I did have brilliant teachers as well.” Headteacher Suzanne O’Farrell said she was pleased with the students’ success and congratulated them on their achievements.
She said: “These young people have worked tremendously hard to achieve these results and I would like to recognise the work of their teachers and their parents who provide essential support through the two challenging years of GCSE study.” At Denstone College pupils celebrated great success again with 53 per cent of all exams taken resulting in A* or A grades, down slightly on 2010’s record figure of 62 per cent.
A total of 13 students attained all A* or A grades, including Tom Blundell, of Marston Montgomery, Will Mason, from Uttoxeter and Annie Teather, from Denstone.
Tom, who received seven A*s and four As, said: “I checked on the internet at 6am this morning so I knew what was coming but I’m absolutely delighted.” Will, who took home three A*s and eight As, said: “I did not expect to do that well. I was not too nervous coming up to get the results, I managed to stay quite calm and collected.” Annie also achieved three A*s and eight As and was also up at 6am to check her results on the school’s website.
She said: “I was so nervous I didn’t sleep at all. I’m very happy. I’m going to go on to sixth form to do my A-levels in maths, English Language, design and technology and Spanish.” Headmaster David Derbyshire said of the results: “We are delighted by the achievements of all our girls and boys. As this year group move into the sixth form, they will be very aware of the effort and focus that is needed.” Pupils at Abbotsholme School, near Rocester, also achieved fine results including Annabelle Gill, from Alton, who received three A*s and six As, Natasha Geer, from Church Broughton, who received 6 A*s and three As and Sam Hall, from Croxden, who received one A* and six As.
At Abbotsholme Year 10 is no longer a respite from taking public exams with the majority of pupils sitting GCSE modules with almost 20 per cent achieving straight A*s and As.
Meg Fairclough, 14, made her father and headmaster of the school Steve Fairclough proud by achieving two A*s and two As.
She told the Advertiser: “I’m really, really happy and was not expecting those grades. It is good getting some of the modules out the way and it sets me up well for next year.” Fellow Year 10 pupil Jacob Palmer, 15, was delighted with his four module results of three A*s and one A.
He said: “I’m really happy. My dad actually works at the school and he actually phoned me up this morning to tell me the results and I was really pleased.” Headmaster Mr Fairclough said: “I am always very pleased when hard work is rewarded and you see the relieved smiles on faces on results day.
“Abbotsholme pupils are great and I am very proud of them.” Meanwhile Abbots Bromley School For Girls have been left delighted with their results which included a 100 per cent pass rate and 39 per cent of pupils achieving A* and A grades.
Headmistress Julie Dowling said: “In my first year as head teacher, I am delighted by this year’s GCSE results. As a non-selective school, to consistently achieve such high standards is a great credit to the teachers and the girls.
“I now look forward to seeing this group of girls develop their potential still further as they embark upon their A-level courses.”
