There were tears of joy and laughter across North Yorkshire as students eagerly collected their GCSE results.
Spirits were high at Risedale School in Catterick Garrison thanks to an impressive set of results.
Pupil Tristan Semons was delighted with his excellent set of grades. He is due to start his training with the Armed Forces as a vehicle mechanic, while Grace Grant achieved highly across a range of subjects, including maths, science and French. Grace is off to study law, criminology and history. Hard work paid off for Grace Hoe, who was particularly pleased with her top grade in art and is now off to study and develop this passion further.
Headteacher Colin Scott praised the pupils for their GCSE success. He said: “I am very proud of the resilience and determination that our pupils have demonstrated during their time here as part of the Risedale family, especially given the challenges they have gone through in Covid lockdowns.
“I would also like to thank our fantastic staff (teaching and support) for their unwavering dedication and belief in our incredible pupils.”
He added: “Most of our pupils are leaving Risedale with good grades across a range of academic subjects which will provide them with a strong platform for their future endeavours.”
The executive member for education, learning and skills, Cllr Annabel Wilkinson, said: “Huge congratulations to all young people in North Yorkshire who have received their GCSE and equivalent results today.
“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 Upper Wharfedale School near Skipton.
Departing deputy head pupil, Georgia, said she was “elated” with her excellent results. Georgia goes on to study musical theatre at the prestigious performing arts CAPA College.
Students who joined the school from the Ukraine also collected GCSE results this morning (Thursday), including pupil Sofia who was delighted to receive a Grade 9 in Russian.
Headteacher Catherine Reeves said: “The outcomes achieved by Upper Wharfedale students this year are excellent. Both students and staff have coped remarkably well with the longstanding challenges of the pandemic and interruptions to normal school life; with many students achieving beyond their already high expectations.
“I am full of admiration for their commitment, as well as that of their teachers and support staff. Most importantly, the vast majority of students have achieved the results necessary for their chosen courses in September and I am certain that they will go onto be hugely successful in their studies and chosen careers.”
Our corporate director for children and young people’s services, Stuart Carlton, praised students for their exam success. 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.
“These results are not only a reflection of the hard work and commitment of our young people, but also their families, schools, colleges and other learning settings, that have supported them’.
“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, there’s more exam celebrations across the county as almost 50 adult learners collected their GCSE results from Adult Learning and Skills Service North Yorkshire.
Part of North Yorkshire Council, Adult Learning and Skills Service North Yorkshire offers GCSE qualifications to students who left school without achieving their English or maths GCSE.
This year’s grades saw 71 per cent of students achieving a Grade 4 or better in maths, while an impressive 80 per cent received a Grade 4 or better in English.
Among the high-flyers is Tihana Stekovic 42, of Harrogate, who achieved a Grade 9 in maths. Thrilled with her result, she said: “I’m very happy with how I did and I’m so grateful to all the staff at Adult Learning and Skills Service North Yorkshire.”
“I wanted to continue my education. I work as a maths tutor, so I wanted to see the exam for myself.
“Looking ahead, I’m going to focus on an education course. I want to work with children so that’s my next step.”
For anybody wanting to apply to study a GCSE with Adult Learning North Yorkshire, visit the adult learning section of our website or call the team on 01609 536066.