Amidst the encouraging improvements in GCSE results at Thomas Clarkson Academy, Wisbech, were some individual stories of excellence and achievement.
With the help of academy staff we focus on a number of those who have excelled in this year’s exams.
Ashleigh Ward was the highest achiever with 9s in English language, literature and maths and 3A* grades in geography, history and science as well as an A in French and a Distinction* in ECDL.
He said: “I am feeling really good about my results. I am really proud of my English results as I wasn’t expecting them to be so high.
“I am planning to study maths in Sixth Form at Thomas Clarkson Academy in September.”
There were tears of joy for Alyx Haines who achieved 9 in maths, 8 in English language and literature and 5 As in French, additional science, philosophy and ethics, geography, computing as well as a Distinction* in ECDL.
She said: “I am slightly disappointed in geography and RE as I only got an A and I really wanted an A*!”
Alyx is going on to study maths and further maths.
Holly Keeley was celebrating her 9 in English literature, 8 in English language, 7 in maths, Distinction* and 3A*s.
She said: “I am really proud of the 9 in English literature”
Her advice to next year’s students is to “start revising early, don’t wait until a few weeks before the exams. “Start at the beginning of the year.”
Holly is going to continue her studies in biology, maths and further maths at Thomas Clarkson Academy.
Annabelle Holmes was pleased with her 8 in English literature and maths, 7 in English language as well as her 4 A*s, 1 A and 1 Distinction*.
Annabelle said: “I am really happy with my maths result as it means I can get into my course in college.”
Kate Filart joined Thomas Clarkson Academy in 2015 from the Philippines.
She said: “I could barely speak any English when I joined; I’m very pleased with my results. I thought I was going to fail and I am just so happy and so pleased with my results.”
Kate achieved an 8 in English literature, 7 in English language, 6 in maths as well as an A*, 3Bs, Distinction and Distinction**.
Kate’s advice to fellow students is to “to work hard and believe in yourself’. Kate will be staying on in the sixth form to study psychology.
Aaron Ganger said: “I’ve done really well. It was a lot of hard work but it has paid off”.
He is celebrating 7s in maths and English literature, 5 in English language, 3 As, 1 B and a Distinction.
His tip for success is to “just keep revising, even when you feel like giving up. Keep going as it pays off”.
Aaron is staying on to study history, psychology and chemistry in the sixth form.
Rui Santos arrived in the UK in 2014 and has achieved 7 in English language and literature, 5 in maths as well as 1 A, 1B, 4Cs and a D.
Rui is staying on at Thomas Clarkson Academy to continue his studies in psychology, English and biology.
Zach Alden was celebrating an 8 in English language, 7 in maths, 6 in English literature as well as 3Bs, 1 C and a merit. Zach is staying in on in the sixth form to study psychology and sociology and possibly English and history.
Other notable successes include:
Kristine Saveljeva only arrived in the UK when she was 10 years old.
She has just collected her GCSE results and achieved a 6 in maths, 5 in English language, 4 in English literature, level 2 pass in performing arts and Distinction in travel and tourism.
She is hoping to carry on studying travel and tourism and aspires to go to university.
Cara Curran has battled illness and adversity to achieve her results.
She has been ill for the past 18 months but she went into the college a day before returning to hospital for further treatment.
She achieved a 6 in English language, 4s in English literature and maths, 2 Bs, 1 C and a Distinction*.
Cara is hoping to stay at Thomas Clarkson Academy and study for her A-levels.
Justinas Slicas arrived in the UK seven years ago from Lithuania.
Justinas has achieved his desired results and is heading to college to study engineering. He is hoping to then undertake an apprenticeship with Anglian Water.
He obtained 5 in Maths, 4 in English language and literature as well as 3Bs, 2Cs and 1D.
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