Workington Academy Headteacher Des Bird said
We are proud to serve our children, their families and the community of West Cumbria. This year the situation with Covid 19 and the closure of schools in both of the previous two academic years makes this results day unique. The grades the students are receiving are the result of the national standardisation of centre assessed grades submitted in June which used a range of internal assessments to provide evidence of student achievement. These grades reflect the hard work of the students and the depth of learning throughout their courses. I am immensely proud of the way students rose to the challenges presented this year.
The vast majority of students have achieved the grades required for their first-choice university or apprenticeship scheme, which is incredibly pleasing to see. Although not everything will be back to ‘normal’ in September it is clear to see that our students are determined not to let these issues impact upon their life chances and are pushing themselves on to such high-quality destinations. Students have had to work harder than ever before to remain motivated and diligent in their studies which mainly occurred outside of the school building; they deserve a great deal of praise for such success in such difficult times.
“The DFE have cancelled Performance Tables for this year and there will be no amalgamated headline results published for schools, which is right and proper given the circumstances around the exams this year. There is no doubt that leaves the focus on those that really deserve it, the people we should all be congratulating; the students.”
Mark Bedford, Head of West Coast Sixth Form added
“Our students reflect our ethos of ‘Be the Best You Can Be’ with each student striving for their own personal success. We are incredibly proud of the students who have achieved the results required to move on to university, apprenticeships or into employment and we wish them well for the future. More so than ever, students have been faced with adversity, the challenge of level 3 study is never easy, but the skills and strategies our young people have developed during their time in sixth form will ensure that the continue to be successful and resilient throughout their life.”
Pleasing-results were achieved by many including:
- Alex Nicholson, who achieved grades A* in each of his 4 A level subjects; Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics and Further Mathematics. Alex intends to study Physics and Astronomy at Durham University.
- Harsirat Kaur achieved A* in Religious Studies, A* in History and a grade A in English Literature. She will be studying Theology and Religion at the University of Oxford.
- Anya Thompson achieved grades A* in both Art and English Literature and a grade B in Biology. Anya’s next step is to study Product Design at the University of Leeds.
- Josie Banks achieve a grade A* in Mathematics and grades A in Computing, Physics and Further Maths. Josie plans on studying Physics with Theoretical Physics at the University of Manchester.
- Ebony Ritchie achieved a Distinction* grade in Media, an A* in Art and a grade B in History. Ebony has secured a place at Loughborough University to study Media and Communication.
- Charlotte McDonnell achieved Distinction* in both Business and Health and Social care and a grade A in History. Charlotte will move on to the University of Leeds where she intends to study History.