Young people across North Yorkshire are celebrating GCSE and equivalent exam success with early data showing good, solid grades.
Thousands of teenagers returned to their secondary schools today (22 August) to collect their grades which will help them progress on to sixth form, college or training.
There were celebrations all round at Boroughbridge High School as students triumphed in their exams.
Young people outperforming their ambitious targets and achieving top grades included Henry Sharp, Iris Moulton, Purwa Joshi, Joe Goodwin and Lauren Fountain.
Headteacher, Kathryn Stephenson, said: “The class of 2024 have made a very positive contribution to our school community in so many ways and I’m delighted that their hard work, resilience and ambition is reflected in their excellent achievements.
“We are incredibly proud of them and are confident that they will continue to be successful, making a positive contribution to the communities to which they belong.”
Executive member for education, learning and skills, Cllr Annabel Wilkinson, said: “Today we recognise the achievements of all our learners who have received their GCSE and equivalent results and huge congratulations to them all.
“These results are an important testimony and a credit to our fantastic teachers who are so dedicated to our students, enabling them to achieve their very best.
“I wish all students every success with their next steps in life, wherever that may be. Their achievements are inspiration to the younger students.”
Meanwhile, there were lots of happy faces at Risedale School in Catterick Garrison thanks to an impressive set of results.
Top performers include Blake Atkinson, who achieved grade 8s across all three sciences, plus computer science and a grade 9 in maths. Katie Galloway picked up grade 8 and 7s across a range of subjects including English, all three sciences, maths and geography. While pupil Masood Dawoodzai, who joined the school late in Key Stage 4, achieved strong grades in all his subjects including a grade 7 in history.
The school’s deputy headteacher, James Yates, paid tribute to the hard work and dedication of pupils. He said: “I would like to thank our pupils for their dedication and focus throughout their time at Risedale. Many of our pupils, by the very nature of living in a Garrison, will have encountered multiple settings and the resilience and determination they exhibit are tremendous to behold.
“I would also like to thank all our fantastic staff for their unwavering dedication and belief in our incredible pupils.”
Corporate director for children and young people’s services, Stuart Carlton, praised students for their exam successes. He said: “Congratulations and well done to everyone who has taken their GCSE and equivalent examinations this year. I am delighted to see some excellent results that are well deserved.
“I would also like to take this opportunity to congratulate all our school leaders, teachers and support staff for their hard work and dedication in providing such solid academic foundations for our young people. They deserve a huge amount of credit for their passion and commitment.”
He added: “I wish all students every success as they move on to the next stage of their education, employment or training. Any young person still unsure about their next steps is encouraged to talk through their options with their family, school and careers adviser.”
Meanwhile, adult learners across North Yorkshire are also celebrating after securing outstanding GCSE results. This is the 15th year that North Yorkshire Council’s Adult Learning and Skills Service has offered a comprehensive range of GCSE English and maths courses. The service helps adults improve their skills and gain qualifications to achieve their goals in employment.
This academic year saw a success rate of 92 per cent.
In GCSE maths, 70 per cent of learners achieved a grade 4 to 9 and results for GCSE English language were similar with 67 per cent achieving a grade 4 to 9.
More than 450 adult learners sign up for the free Maths and English courses with the service every year.’
Find out more about Adult Learning North Yorkshire online or by telephone 01609 536 066.