Photos: GCSE success across the board in Ribble Valley

Pupils at St Augustine’s RC High School at Billington enjoyed another year filled with success stories with

head teacher, Mr Michael Wright, saying he is extremely pleased with the results.

“Reforms to the exam system have changed the landscape in recent years and this year’s leavers have risen to the challenge with excellent results across the board.

“The pupils worked exceptionally hard and this is evident in the superb results that have been gained.

“I would like to congratulate the students on their successes and also thank the teachers and parents for the support that has been provided over the last 12 months.

“It was lovely to see so many smiling faces and tears of relief and joy, as pupils and parents collected their grades this morning.”

Top students included Betty Ward who achieved eight A* grades and 2 A grades including maximum marks for her GCSE Textiles course and Beth Neild who achieved 7 A*s and 3 As. Mhari Dunn and Rebekah Maher scored 6 A*s with top grades in Physics, Chemistry and Biology as well as a clutch of A grades too.

Head teacher Mr Wright’s daughter, Lucy Wright, also achieved 6 A* grades for her GCSEs including French and Spanish and was one of a number of students who sat AS level Critical Thinking early, achieving a grade B.

Robert Lodge was also one of a number of pupils who sat Advanced Level Maths early achieving a grade B as well as a string of top GCSE grades.

Head boy, Luke Philippides, who was delighted with his grades, said: “I have had a brilliant time in my five years at St Augustine’s and am looking forward to going to college to start my A Level courses.”

Luke and his twin sister Eve both achieved 5 A* grades and are now looking forward to studying A levels at St Mary’s College in September.

Other high achieving students included Andrew Atkinson, Rebecca Carr, Bethany Hales, Frances James, Ewan Mills, Joshua Smith, Robert Taylor and Elia Veneziale who all achieved 5 A* grades and now look forward to further study and apprenticeships.

The school’s results indicate that 71% of the pupils achieved the benchmark figure of 5 A*-C grades including English and Maths. This year’s league tables will concentrate on the progress made from Year Six to Year 11 and the Elker Lane school is confident it will be in the top performing cohort again this year with outstanding value added results.

Students who attend Clitheroe Royal Grammar School were also congratulated on their outstanding GCSE results.

The percentage of A* to B grades achieved was more than 90%, with more than 67% of grades at A* to A and an impressive 32% of results at A*, a reflection, head teacher Judith Child said, of the hard work and commitment of every single one of the school’s students and their teachers.

“All our students have achieved highly and we would like to congratulate them all,” she said.

Eight students, Leena Choudhari (12), Afrose Dor (12), Simran Kazi (12), Claire Maden (11), Mary Peachey (11), Julia Johnstone (11), Katy Whadcock (10) and Caitlin Webb (10), gained 10 or more A* grades. 

A total of 55 students (46%) achieved 10 or more A* to A grades, while more than 59% of students gained at least eight GCSEs at A* to A.

Mrs Child added: “Most students are now in the process of enrolling for further study at A Level. We wish our students every success in the future and would like to thank our staff for their hard work, dedication and support.”

There were more success stories from the Ribble Valley’s other secondary schools.

Stephen Cox, head teacher at Ribblesdale High School in Clitheroe, said: “We are delighted with this year’s exam results which are on a par with our fantastic results last year. Our pupils have obtained some incredible outcomes, as a cohort and most importantly as individuals.

“Their hard work and determination, accompanied by the tremendous support from their teachers and other school staff, has enabled them leave Ribblesdale with great qualifications. We all wish them the very best in the next chapter of their lives.”

Students who attend Bowland High School at Billington also achieved an exceptional set of results.

Head teacher John Tarbox commented: “Congratulations to all of the pupils who sat GCSE exams this summer. Once again we are celebrating the excellent achievement of the pupils. Under the new performance measures for schools pupils at Bowland have achieved, on average, half a grade above expectations in each of their GCSEs. This is very pleasing and I am sure pupils would also pay tribute to the input from their teachers and parents. I wish everybody the very best in the next stage of their education.”

Pupils at Stonyhurst College at Hurst Green were celebrating their best ever GCSE results with 51% of all papers gaining A* to A, and 90% gaining A* to C. They follow the college’s best ever A Level results this summer – 71% A* to B.

High achievers included Eleanor Charles from Hurst Green who gained 10 A* grades.