Bolton School’s Great Halls were buzzing with excitement as Year 11 gathered to collect their GCSE Results.
Philip Britton, Bolton School’s Head of Foundation, said:
‘We are delighted with the GCSE results pupils are receiving today, which are even better than last year. It gives us real confidence that these pupils have shown resilience and determination to put the Covid years behind them and measure up so well to 2019 standards. This will provide an excellent platform for their Sixth Form studies.
‘A results day has to be about the pupils and all they have achieved – it is not about facts and figures and curriculum experts discussing different methods of assessment, as is so often sadly true. This year group went into Lockdown in March of Year 7, had Year 8 in bubbles and began Year 9 in masks. Since then, they have blossomed wonderfully: there are national level athletes, top musicians, award winning debaters, terrific actors and a year group of really decent young people. They have now added some excellent GCSE results to their achievements.
‘Almost all of our pupils stay to the Sixth Form and it will be a real pleasure to watch their progress over the next two years as they enjoy a more adult way of working, with longstanding friends, in familiar places surrounded by familiar faces. We also look forward to welcoming a good number of pupils joining us for the Sixth Form years.
‘This success is also about teachers, who really care about young people and who care about their subjects. I hope teachers are celebrated across the Bolton Learning Partnership today for their part in this success.’
There were a great many stories to celebrate in both Divisions as pupils collected their results. Among them were eleven Boys’ Division pupils and eight Girls’ Division pupils who achieved ten or more grade 8/9s or A*s.
Sofia Riaz had particular reason to be proud of her results as she collected a full set of 11 grade 9s. She plans to take French, English Literature, Politics and Maths at A Level, and perhaps sees herself studying English Literature at university in the future.
In the Boys’ Division, Nathan Watts was another high achiever who picked up eleven grade 9s and one A*.
Luke Burns, who earlier this academic year beat his own national record for 2x2 speedcubing, was one of those who received a suite of 8s and 9s. He plans next year to study Maths, Further Maths, Computer Science and German. He said: ‘It’s nice to see that the hard work has paid off! Now the hope is to continue to get the same sort of grades at A Level.’
Elise Brown was similarly pleased to pick up her great set of results, and plans next year to study Maths, Further Maths, Physics and Chemistry. She hopes one day to become an aerospace engineer, or move into a career in engineering. Maddie Eccleshare Hornby was also delighted, and is planning to continue her passion for modern languages in the Sixth Form with A Levels in French, Spanish, English Literature and Religious Studies.
Several Girls’ Division students have balanced sporting achievements with their GCSE studies: Hannah Faulkner played Lacrosse for Scotland at the U20 World Championships, Lucy Vaughan competed in the Swim North West Regional Championships for Wigan BEST, and water polo players Lucy Blenkinship and Amelia Crompton both played for Great Britain Under 19s. After picking up her results, Amelia said she is looking forward to playing for the Team GB U20s in Barcelona in September at the Next Generation Cup.
Among the cohort were two pupils who won a category in the Boys’ Division Young Musician of the Year competition. Senior Brass winner Will Earnshaw was ‘very happy’ to pick up a great set of results this morning: he plans to study Maths, Further Maths, Economics and Classical Greek at A Level. Senior Vocal winner Nathan Pierson was also pleased with his results, and will take Maths, Chemistry, History and Politics with a view to studying Law at university.
There were smiles on many faces in the Great Halls and Riley Centre Café as the year group celebrated their combined successes together on Results Day.
GCSE Results Day Gallery:
Girls’ Division GCSE Students:
Boys’ Division GCSE Students:
