Record results bring joy and relief

12:35pm Wednesday 29th August 2007

IT WAS top marks all round for highflying schools in Ryedale when this year's GCSE results were announced.

Nervous students were handed their exam results slips last Thursday and all four secondary schools in the area celebrated their best ever performance.

At Lady Lumley's School in Pickering, a staggering 78 per cent of pupils scored five A* to C grades - a massive 13 per cent improvement on last year.

But the star which shone the brightest in this year's class was 16-year-old Eleanor Young who gained an amazing 11 A* and was awarded one of the top marks for English Literature out of 365,000 candidates across the country.

Despite her incredible achievement, she remained modest. "I'm in complete shock. When I came out of the exams I didn't think I had done that well, " she said.

And another hardworking student, singled out for praise was Olivia Keld from Pickering, who, despite a shaky start to secondary school, gained the grades needed to enter a hairdressing academy in Norton.

"I was a tearaway when I was in Year 7, " she said. "But I realised I needed to get good grades to make something of my life. Thankfully the teachers here were really supportive and I will start a hairdressing college course in September."

Headteacher John Tomsett, who left the school in June, said: "Everyone has worked very hard and each individual deserves his or her success. I have really enjoyed the past four years at Lady Lumley's and it's nice to be leaving the school on a high note."

At Malton School 67 per cent of GCSE students were awarded five or more A* to C grades, an improvement on last year. And top of the class was 16-year-old Helen Carrie, who walked away with 11 A*s.

She said: "I didn't expect these results - I feel great but I was convinced I had Bs in English and I didn't think I'd do that well in art either."

Malton headteacher, Rob Williams, said: "This is good set of results, especially on the back of last week's outstanding A-level results. It's the end of my first year and the challenge has been making what is already a good school into an excellent school. The key thing today is all the hard work that the kids and staff have put in."

And out of the 107 students who sat their GCSE exams this year at Ryedale School, 72 per cent scored five A* to Cs.

Laura Ireland from Fadmoor took the overall honours with her nine grades A* passes.

The talented performer, who was lead in this school production of Kiss Me Kate, which finished shortly before her exams, was shedding tears of joy on Thursday.

She said: "I'm totally shocked - I never thought I would get these grades."

Also getting her results was Victoria Brown, from Nunnington, who cleared the board with her nine A*s and A passes.

The 16-year-old comes from a family of high-flyers - her sister Katy was one of the best performing A-Level students at Lady Lumley's School this year.

Victoria said: "I really wasn't expecting those results - but I'm definitely going to study my A levels then hopefully go to university."

Headteacher Geoff Jenkinson: "This year group could really enjoy life, and through their massive contribution to the performing arts provided excellent role models for the younger students. We wish them every success and happiness for the future."

And also rocketing up the North Yorkshire league table this year was Norton College where 69 per cent of the students gained five A* to C grades - a 13 per cent increase from this year, making the school the most improved in Ryedale.

Despite the healthy share of bright students, Rebecca Wharrick, was top of the class with a whopping 10 A*s and two A grades.

Headteacher Tony Rawdin said: "I'm delighted with our results. I wish to congratulate everyone concerned - all the pupils and all those highly committed members of staff, who have always been prepared to go the extra mile to help fulfil the pupils' potential."

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