There was plenty of celebration as students across Welwyn Hatfield collected their GCSE results, and here are some of the best pictures from the day.
Stanborough School - Welwyn Garden City
After many weeks of waiting, Stanborough students were finally able to collect their GCSE and BTEC exam results today.
Headteacher Mrs John said: "It has been a pleasure to work with the Year 11 students. I have been impressed, as they have demonstrated dedication, commitment and resilience in the months leading up to these examinations.
"Today, we celebrate the hard work and talents of the individual students and the fantastic commitment of the teachers and support staff.
"The staff here at Stanborough have worked tirelessly to support each child and this is evident in the results. I would also like to acknowledge our parents and carers who have nurtured and encouraged their children throughout their school lives.
"This collaborative effort and strong partnership between school and home has been a major factor in influencing the aspirational culture.
"Our students are indeed a credit to this school community and I wish them the very best as they start the next exciting phase of their educational journey."
Among the top achievers were Zara Printer, Martha Flint and Eyan Mampilly, who swept the board achieving top grades in all subjects.
"I’m so happy with my results and I can’t wait to start my A-level Studies at Stanborough in September," Zara said.
A relieved Martha continued: "I’m so relieved to get my results and I’m delighted with them. I am looking forward to starting my post-16 studies at Stanborough in a couple of weeks."
Eyan arrived with his parents and appeared anxious as he opened his brown envelope. "I am very happy and my results were better than I expected. I can’t wait to get started on studying my A-level choices at Stanborough."
Ridgeway Academy - Welwyn Garden City
Students at Ridgeway Academy celebrating, with headteacher Sarah Mitcherson saying: "We are delighted with the results of our young people, they have worked so hard to excel and there are some excellent results.
"The support from Ridgeway Academy parents and staff has been incredible and we wish to thank them for their ongoing support.
"We acknowledge that the student’s success is a culmination of the last 11 years of education and thank all educators who have ensured our students’ success."
Individual successes include Annie Dykes who achieved grade 8 in both her English language and literature and distinction* in CNAT sport science, allowing her to complete further study at Ridgeway Academy.
David James, who achieved grade 8s in business studies and both English language and literature and maths, and grade 7 in all other subjects.
Olivia Mann who achieved grade 8 in media studies, distinction* in CNAT sport science and grade 7s in Science English literature and geography.
Rose Clayton achieved distinction* in Sport Science and grade 7s in English literature and language, Lucy Oldridge achieved three grade 9s in English language, English literature and history, grade 8s in science and grade 7s in maths and fine art, and Robyn Cross achieved grade 8s in maths, English literature, English language and biology.
Max Ambler who achieved grade 8s in English language and literature and distinction* in CNAT Sport Science, while William Paton who achieved grade 9s in media and geography, grade 7s in English language and literature.
Bishop's Hatfield Girls' School - Hatfield
Bishop's Hatfield Girls' School students celebrated another fantastic set of GCSE and BTEC results, with headteacher Alf Wood saying: "I am so pleased for our students who have worked so hard and done brilliantly.
"A huge thank you goes to our staff, parents and carers for the support they have given to our students. It has obviously paid off and it is wonderful to see so many students achieve such impressive grades.
"This is a great year group and I am very much looking forward to welcoming them back into our Sixth Form in September. They have exciting futures ahead of them and I know our staff are really looking forward to working with them over the next two years to help them to fulfil their ambitions.
"We have again seen a large number of our pupils achieve the top grades this year, which is great to see when the news is full of stories about how pass rates nationally have fallen.
"Results in our vocational courses have also been excellent and I want to congratulate all our students for their hard work and perseverance which has brought them some superb and well-deserved results."
Lily Wrangle and Libby Porter were both very happy with their results, with Lily saying: "I am proud of myself and really happy to finally get my results."
Evie Brown and Bjamela Bekteshi were celebrating, with Bjamela saying: "I am really happy with my grades and am looking forward to starting on my Sixth Form courses."
Amy Gardner said: "I did better than I expected in some subjects and really improved from my mocks so I’m very happy."
Stephanie Okeke, Layo Sobowale, and Ruva Rusike were all happy with their results. Ruva said: "It’s such a relief we don’t have to wait anymore and I’m really happy."
Zia Terywall, Ella Studholm and Jess Dunnington were all very happy. Jess said: "I’m so happy with my grades, it’s been really difficult waiting for them to come out."
Molly Mitchell and Lily McKiernan were both very pleased to get the grades they need for their Sixth Form courses.
Onslow St Audrey's School - Hatfield
Onslow St Audrey's School headteacher Julie Jones was delighted with the school's GCSE results.
"There was a fantastic atmosphere at Onslow St Audrey's School this morning as students arrived to collect their well-deserved results," she said.
"It was wonderful to see so many students - and parents - delighted by their achievements and excited about their next steps.
"My thanks go to all staff who have supported the students through their courses and, of course, to the students and their families.
"Particular congratulations to Daniel Tual, Lacey Harwood, Tanatswa Madiro, Maria Iwunwoko, Tamika Maradzika, Kiana Junsan, Aishat Mohammed, Grace Rafferty and Vinuya Gnanasekaram for their phenomenal achievements. They all worked hard to achieve exceptionally high grades.
"Congratulations also to Lukian Boidunyk, Sebastian Trandafir, Zahraddin Tayaa, Leon Boulter, Matteo Angius and Alexis Tassell. Their results reflect excellent progress against their target grades and they should be so proud all they have achieved.
"As a school, we are delighted with our students' attainment having seen an increase of 10 per cent in the number of students achieving a grade 4 or above in English, Maths and Science compared with this point last year.
"We are looking forward to welcoming double the number of students to our Sixth Form in September 2024 compared with last year. We wish all our students every success with their future studies."
Monk's Walk School - Welwyn Garden City
Monk's Walk students were celebrating on GCSE results day, with headteacher Matt Grinyer saying: "Congratulations to all our students for achieving such fantastic grades.
"They are an inspiring and talented group and we are so proud of them, both for their academic successes and the character and determination they have shown throughout this year.
"These grades have been achieved through the hard work of our students, fantastic support of their parents and carers and the dedication and commitment of all our staff.
"They also reflect the positive, aspirational culture established by Mr Casley our Head of Year 11, the Year 11 tutors and the broader pastoral team working with this year group.
"Particular congratulations should go to Lara Boughton, Emma Guy, Elizabeth Curnow, Jennifer Goodwin, Thomas Precious, Iqra Chaudhry, Luke Jameson, Matthew Lovass and Sarim Rahman, who achieved Grades 8 and 9 in all their qualifications and to Amelie Horn who was awarded a Grade 9 in every subject.
"I am delighted that the majority of students have chosen to return to Monk's Walk to study in our Sixth Form and look forward to seeing them continue to develop as individuals over the next two years. For those students who will be moving onto College and apprenticeships we wish them every success in their next steps."
Queenswood School - Brookmans Park
Pupils and teachers at Queenswood celebrated GCSE results to be extremely proud of, with 77.3 per cent of grades at 9–6, and 57 per cent at grade 7 or higher - equivalent to A*/A in the previous grading system.
More than a fifth of students gained eight or more grade 8s, while well over a third achieved eight or more grade 7s. Several were awarded eight or more grade 9s, which is an astonishing accomplishment.
Principal Jo Cameron said: "We are delighted with these results. They are testament to the dedication and diligence of our students and staff, and proof of the exceptional value-added of a Queenswood education.
"On average, each pupil achieved almost a whole grade per subject higher than had been predicted by baseline tests.
"As they enter the Sixth Form, these students will embark on their A-level courses full of confidence and self-belief."
Chancellor's School - Brookmans Park
Many Chancellor's students achieved an impressive clutch of 9s and 8s, the very highest possible grade and a recognition of truly outstanding performance.
Naomi Stanyer achieved a full set of A* equivalent grades (three 9s and eight 8s) and Julianna Christophi (seven 9s, two 8s and two 7s), Zuyi Su (five 9s, three 8s, two 7s and one 6), Nathan Powell (five 9s, one 8, four 7s and one 6), Sophia Christodoulou (two 9s, seven 8s and one 7) and Athena Christou (four 9s, three 8s and four 7s) were some of the students who finished with a consistent set of truly remarkable results.
Chancellor’s is delighted to be congratulating a huge number of students who have made exceptional progress throughout their GCSEs. Of particular note are Katie Fry (three 9s, three 8, three 7s and one 6), Ben Abrahamson (one 9, two 8s, four 7s, one 6 and one 5) and William Rawlings (four 9s, four 8s and two 7s).
Headteacher David Croston was full of praise for his students, saying: "We are once again delighted with the strong performance of our students.
"We enjoyed a strong set of results across the board and these are a testament to our students’ hard work, commitment and perseverance as well as the inspiration provided by their teachers.
"I would like to congratulate our students on the progress they have made during their five years at Chancellor’s and acknowledge the brilliance, dedication and professionalism of their teachers and school staff, not to mention the wonderful support provided by their parents and carers.
"We look forward to celebrating our students’ successes and to welcoming the vast majority of them back to our sixth form next year."
Mount Grace School - Potters Bar
While schools across the UK saw grades return to pre-pandemic levels, Mount Grace School celebrated improved results compared to pre-Covid.
Headteacher, Geeta Patel, said: "I am so pleased for the students, staff and families who have celebrated the fruit of all their hard work and dedication over the years.
"We have so much to celebrate between those achieving top grade 9s to those who have made significant progress from lower starting points in Year 7 but have today achieved above expectations as a result of their incredible journey with us.
"I am overjoyed to welcome so many of our students back when they join our Sixth Form in two weeks.
"There is a distinct air of excitement and the success today has added to the momentum of improvement and transformation that lies ahead as we continue with our work to join a multi-academy trust in the new year.
Sabera achieved grade 9s in chemistry, design and technology, mathematics and physics and grade 8s in her other six subjects, while Aiden Ludlow celebrated strong achievement across all ten of his subjects and is enjoying his trailblazing grade 7 as the first Mount Grace School student to gain a GCSE in Latin.
Harry achieved grades 7-9 across all ten of his subjects including a grade 9 in English language, with Caroline celebrating top grades including grade 9s in chemistry and history as well as grade 8s in biology, English language, literature and music.
Esandi joined the school and country this academic year. In many subjects she had to learn content from scratch due to not having studied the same curriculum in Sri Lanka but her positive mindset and work ethic has paid off and she is celebrating top grades including grade 8s in biology, chemistry, mathematics and physics.
Dame Alice Owen's School - Potters Bar
Dame Alice Owen's had an incredible 33 per cent of all grades awarded at grade 9, the highest possible level of achievement.
A further, 24 per cent of grades were achieved at grade 8 with a staggering 67 per cent of all grades awarded at levels 9-7.
94 per cent of students achieved five or more standard passes at GCSE (grade 4+) including English and maths.
Six of our students achieved an incredible 10 grade 9s with 38 students achieving 10 grades at level 8 and 9.
Headteacher Hannah Nemko said: "I would like to thank our staff for the unwavering support and inspiration they give our young people; their passion for teaching and their commitment to nurturing the potential in every student have played a pivotal role in helping our students achieve these outstanding outcomes.
"I would also like to thank our supportive parents and carers. It is only when we work together, positively and respectfully, that such outcomes can be possible.
"As we celebrate these outstanding accomplishments, we hope that our students will continue to carry the precepts of the Owen’s Way with them throughout their lives.
"We hope they continue to seek out opportunities for growth, that they look beyond themselves whenever possible, that they strive to be the best they can be, and that they continue to support others while allowing themselves to be supported when needed.
"We wish all our students the very best as they move into their next exciting chapter. Congratulations to everyone on their own personal achievements."
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