STUDENTS and staff at Whitworth Park Academy in Spennymoor are celebrating after the school achieved its best ever GCSE results.
Children discovered their grades this morning and for the second year in a row, Whitworth Park achieved record outcomes.
Head teacher Stuart Dixon said: “We’re absolutely delighted and thrilled for everyone involved in Whitworth Park Academy.
“Two years in a row now we have been able to celebrate record results for the school. Last year’s were incredible, but this time, even with 50 more children in the cohort, the results have surpassed those achievements in pretty much every headline measure.
“This outcome is down to the sheer determination and hard work of both children and staff. The rigour of everyone has been exceptional, going above and beyond to achieve so much, both during the school day and out of hours. These results are richly deserved.”
Whitworth Park Academy, which is part of the Advance Learning Partnership, is already in the top 10 of schools in County Durham but has aspirations to aim even higher.
Mr Dixon added: “We’re over the moon with these results but we won’t rest here – we're on a powerful journey of continuous improvement.”
Emily Collingwood achieved excellent results, with Grade 9s, 8s, 7s and a Level 2 Distinction. She said: “I’m so pleased with a 9 in language and 8s in all of my sciences, and I’m now going to study biology, chemistry and psychology at Durham Sixth Form. A lot of my friends did really well too and I’ll be celebrating with them and my family.”
Aiden White passed 10 GCSEs, all at Grade 7, 8 or 9. Aiden said: “Chemistry is a highlight and I can go on to study chemistry, biology and maths at sixth form. We’re now going out for a family meal to celebrate, and then I’m off on holiday.”
Aiden White
(Image: Chris Lines)
Teacher John Surtees was among the staff on hand to speak with students after they picked up their results and offer advice to those who had questions about next steps.
Mr Surtees said: “Overall, I’m delighted for the children and the school. We’ve achieved record breaking results. Some of the students who did really well wanted even better results, which is a measure of the high levels of expectations and aspirations that we have at Whitworth Park Academy.”
Kayathiri Kuganithy secured 9s, 8s, one 7 and both a Level 2 Distinction and Level 2* Distinction. This sets her on a path to studying A levels at Durham Sixth Form and then, all being well, medicine at university. Kayathiri summed up the sentiments of many children at the school on Thursday morning: “I feel great, and my family is over the moon.”
Kayathiri Kuganithy
(Image: Chris Lines)