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Aug 2023

Last Updated: 24/08/2023

Education

Students celebrate GCSE results across Harrogate district

by Vicky Carr

| 24 Aug, 2023

Thousands of students across the Harrogate district have collected their GCSE results today.

The teenagers, whose preparations for the exams over the last two years were impacted by the covid pandemic, have been celebrating their achievements at schools around the area.

At Harrogate Grammar School, 83% of the 284 students sitting exams this year gained five standard passes in English and maths.

Headteacher Neil Renton said:

"We celebrate the success of all our students. Their remarkable achievements reflect not only their drive for success, but our emphasis on providing a broad and balanced curriculum that meets the differing needs of all our learners.

"These exceptional outcomes recognise the hard work, resilience, and determination of our students and we thank them for all their efforts."

Harrogate Ladies' College students performed well in sciences, with more than 75% of results graded 9-7.

Across all subjects, 57% of grades were 9-7 and 36% were 8 or above, while more than 60% of pupils at the school achieved five or more 9-7 grades.

All results in French were 8 or above, and almost 90% of grades in textiles were at that level too. Seven of the school's textiles pupils were individually congratulated by the exam board for being among the highest performers in the country.

Other high achievers include Maisy Lindley and Ella Marshall, who both achieved a clean sweep of 9-7 grades.

Principal Sylvia Brett said:

“Our results were excellent across all subjects, but as a girls’ school, I’m particularly pleased that we’re leading the way in STEM [science, technology, engineering and maths], an area where women are still hugely underrepresented in the careers market.

"If we want to change this, we need to inspire and encourage girls while they are still at school.”

Harrogate Ladies' College students Hattie Dixon, Chloe Homer, Ella Marshall, Maisy Lindley and Amelie Coyle.

At Ripon Grammar School, more than 90% of grades were 9-5, the equivalent of A*-B, while 57.3% were 9-7, or A* and A.

The 122 students in the year group achieved a total of 432 top grades of 8 and 9.

Headmaster Jonathan Webb said:

“I am delighted so many of our GCSE students have done so well this year. With the regrading of results to pre-pandemic levels there has been a degree of national uncertainty as overall pass rates have fallen.

“Our year group have worked through adversity and disruption to achieve a strong set of results which now allow them to access their chosen pathway for further study."

Rossett School's students were also celebrating after 63% of the year group achieved five standard passes including English and maths.

Among those achieving grades 9 to 7 across the board were Sam Barker, Arlo Collins, Harry Duffy, Maya Dunmore, Daniel Golding, Danni-Mae Hampson, Robyn Heywood, Henry Hull, George Park, Abbie Ramsden, Mariia Sorokina and Adam Taverner.

Headteacher Tim Milburn said:

“It’s been lovely to see our students this morning and to hear how well they’ve done. The results they have collected today are a real testament to their resilience, commitment and dedication.

"Young people have faced unprecedented disruption to their education over the last three-and-a-half years but that only makes these results more remarkable.”

Rhys Wolf of Ashville College

Among Ashville College's high-scoring pupils was Rhys Wolf, who achieved 10 grade 9s and is staying on for sixth form at the school, before setting his sights on a degree in maths or economics.

The school has not released its overall results. Headteacher Rhiannon Wilkinson, said:

“Every success has been incredibly well deserved, and we are proud of what our Year 11 pupils have achieved both in and out of the classroom. They can now focus on the future and the opportunities that lie ahead in our sixth form."

Queen Mary's School, between Ripon and Thirsk, has also not released details of its results, but headteacher Carole Cameron said:

"It is truly heart-warming to witness long-standing Queen Mary’s pupils achieving outstanding grades after many years of dedication."

St Aidan's Church of England High School in Harrogate has not released its results, but interim headteacher David Thornton said:

“Our students have been there for each other, supporting their friends and classmates.

"St Aidan’s is a close community with parents, carers, staff and students all working together to ensure each student achieves their potential. We all celebrate with them and are immensely proud of each and every one of our students."

The Stray Ferret contacted all other schools in the Harrogate district for their results and comments, but had not received responses by the time of publication.

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Students celebrate GCSE results across Harrogate district

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