GCSE students celebrate outstanding results

THE future is looking bright for hard-working Ripon Grammar School students celebrating outstanding GCSE results.

The 129-strong year group rose to the challenges of the pandemic to claim a total of 601 top 9/8 grades (the equivalent of A*s).

Despite enduring two years of disruption to their education 69.9 percent of all grades awarded were 9-7 (A*-A)s with an impressive 94.5 per cent of all grades achieved being 9-5 (A*-B)s.

Among a number of exceptional performances are five students who were on cloud nine after achieving ten or more grade 9s, the equivalent of exceptionally high A*s.

Top performer Anna Bradley achieved a clean sweep of 12 grade 9s, one of only 13 students in England to do so: "I'm really happy and excited to continue my journey with RGS into sixth form," said the 16-year-old, who will be studying biology, design technology, chemistry and German at A-level.

Athletics sensation Isaac Henson, whose father was diagnosed with cancer just weeks before he sat his GCSEs, achieved five grade 9s, three 8s and three 7s.

The 16-year-old, from Winksley, was also recently named triple Yorkshire champ in shot put, discus and 100m hurdles and Northern regional champ in javelin: "It's been hard work and I could not have done this without the dedication of my teachers."

Young karate star Samarth Dasarathi collected a string of top grades after smashing his GCSE exams. The 16-year-old, from Ripon, who has competed at national level and gained his second level black belt last July, achieved ten grade 9s and one grade 8.

"A big thank you to all my teachers. I'm looking forward to starting sixth form now," he said.

Hardworking young farmer Will Jarvis reaped a crop of top grades while juggling his long working hours and playing rugby for his county with school work. He took time off from preparing land for next year's wheat crop to celebrate achieving nine grade 9s and two 8s.

"I'm really pleased with my results. I've thoroughly enjoyed each subject, with some brilliant teachers," he said.

Talented yachtswoman Coral Watt sailed through her exams to collect top grades. The 16-year-old, from Dishforth, is on the crest of a wave after collecting two 9s, six 8s, two 6s and a 5.

"I think everyone in Year 11 should be really pleased with their results as we've come a long way through the pandemic," she said.

Headmaster Jonathan Webb said: We are delighted for our GCSE students who have worked so hard during two years of disrupted education and I would like to congratulate also the teaching staff who supported students through the lockdowns with an effective online programme which left them well-placed for exams this summer."