Twins celebrate GCSE success

2:30pm Friday 22nd August 2008

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NOT one but two sets of twins notched up 22 A*s and As between them at GCSE at one York school.

At St Peter’s private school Rebecca and Sarah Askham, of Low Catton, near York, and Mark and John Hamilton, from Escrick, excelled themselves in their GCSEs.

As well as studying hard for their ten GCSEs the two boys play all the sports on offer at St Peter’s – rugby, cricket, hockey and tennis. John also has a golf handicap of 12.

“Our results are different, but we are both very pleased with our results”, said Rebecca.

“We are pleased and relieved too,’ said Mark, “and it means we can go on to do the A-levels we wanted.”

Both sets of twins will be staying at St Peter’s to do their A-levels.

Meanwhile, at Canon Lee School, York, pupil Lewis Newbould, 16, holds down two part-time jobs – and still managed to get ten A*s at GCSE.

His proud mother, Ann Newbould, of Warthill, said: “I really am so proud of him. He’s done so well and worked so hard, it’s just a fantastic result.”

Head teacher Kevin Deadman said: “I am immensely proud of the achievements of our students this year who have, for the second year running, achieved the best results ever. This reflects the hard work and commitment of our students and teachers and the support and guidance of parents and governors.”

York High School celebrated its first GCSE results. The city’s newest secondary school was created from the merger of Lowfield and Oaklands School opening in September 2007. Of the 240 pupils in Year 11, 52 per cent gained at least five A*- C GCSE grades.

Head teacher David Ellis said: “We are very pleased with our first year’s results.

“Across Oaklands and Lowfield in 2007 50 per cent of pupils gained at least five grades C and above so, these first results show that York High pupils have achieved better than pupils in this area have ever done before.

“This is a great tribute to pupils and staff, who have had to cope with a period of massive change and disruption and yet have still managed to increase standards. This is a great platform on which to build when we move to our new school building in January.”

Coun Carol Runciman, City of York Council’s executive member for children’s services, said: “It is good to note that York’s results are still significantly above the national average.

“I know that students in York will be pleased with the results of all their hard work and they will benefit from this when they go on to the next stage in their education.

“I wish them well in the choices that they make – whether it is to stay at school, to go to college or perhaps to take up a job.

“They and their teachers and parents have all made a great effort, which has enabled them to gain such good results. I hope they will enjoy the rest of the summer break and return refreshed and ready to continue the good work.”

City council hails record-breaking exam results

SCHOOLS across York broke records with their GCSE results.

City of York Council’s children’s services team celebrated with the news that York schools have continued to build on the outstanding progress made in GCSE examinations last year.

Provisional results show that the overall figure for the percentage of pupils gaining five or more A*–C grades is 68.4 per cent – an improvement of one per cent compared with 2007.

The percentage of pupils gaining five or more A*–C grades, including English and maths, is 54 per cent. Within this overall picture, there has been real individual school and pupil success.

Jill Hodges, assistant director for school improvement and staff development the city council, said: “We are all delighted that York has improved upon the successes of last year and we would like to congratulate all pupils.

“We would also like to thank all members of staff, governors and families in supporting their young people with their achievements.”

County Hall praises pupils

STUDENTS in North Yorkshire have enjoyed another bumper year for GCSE success, with some schools recording their best set of results ever.

Early indications show that the county’s students overall have continued to perform better than the national average and improved substantially even on last year.

The pass rate, including English and maths, has increased from 46.7 to 55.5 per cent, a score the authority expects to improve further when all the results have been collated.

Tadcaster Grammar School increased it’s A*-C pass rate, including English and maths, from 66.12 per cent to 79 per cent and other successes included Sherburn High School, which leapt from 33.7 per cent to 40.1 per cent, including English and maths. The school’s top performing students, Simon Dingwall, Steven Pickles and Matthew Taylor, achieved 18 A* and 12 A grades between them.

County Councillor John Watson, North Yorkshire’s executive member for schools, said: “This is a truly excellent set of results so far and shows that North Yorkshire continues to provide an outstanding education for its young people. “We are extremely proud of the youngsters of this county and our teaching staff, who have worked extremely hard and given of their very best.”

East Riding’s high baseline

TEENAGERS collecting their GCSE results at schools in the in the East Riding of Yorkshire had plenty of reasons to celebrate.

Overall, across the education authority, exam results have improved since last year, with more than 66 per cent of pupils getting five A*-C grades, 53 per cent including English and maths.

Mike Furbank, head of improvement and learning, East Riding of Yorkshire Council, said: “I am really proud of the achievements of the young people of the East Riding.

“They have proved once again that they work hard and have talent. These results demonstrate a commitment to improvement from schools and ten out of 18 schools have improved their performance at five A*-C including English and maths.

“This is impressive as it is from an already high baseline. The results available at present suggest that the challenging local authority target of 53 per cent with five A*-C including English and maths will be achieved and the target of 66 per cent for five A*-C will be exceeded comfortably.

“The hard work of staff and students has been rewarded and I look forward to following the progress of this talented group of individuals as they continue their studies.”

GCSE results from around the region>>