Academy Pays Tribute To Its GCSE Students For Success In Spite Of Covid Disruption

Cleethorpes Academy today paid tribute to its GCSE students who have achieved a fantastic set of exam results, despite having faced the most extreme disruption to their education over the last three years due to the Covid pandemic.

Cleethorpes Academy GCSE students celebrate their exam results with Principal Janice Hornby.

Principal Janice Hornby said the students had responded positively despite the disruption to their learning, and had embraced the online lessons, revision classes and catch-up sessions provided by the Academy to counter the huge effect of Covid lockdowns.

She said that when the students had finally returned to full-time learning in school in the Spring this year they had thrown themselves wholeheartedly into every extra lesson provided by the Academy to ensure their success in today's GCSE exam results.

The results showed that 60% of Cleethorpes Academy students achieved a standard pass in both Maths and English, and a third of all students achieved a high pass in both English and Maths. 72.3% achieved a level 4 or higher in English and 62% in Maths.

More than half the cohort, or 53%, achieved a grade 5 or above in English. In Spanish, 100% of students achieved a grade 5 or above; 100% achieved a grade 4 or above in PE; 93% achieved grade 4 and above in Technology; 84% achieved a grade 4 and above in French; and there was a 76% pass rate in Performing Arts.

This is the first year group to sit exams for Triple Science at the Academy. They also achieved very well, with a pass rate over 70% in all three Science subjects at grade 5 or above.

Mrs Hornby stressed how "immensely proud" she is of all of the Year 11 students sitting their exams in 2022.

She said: "This group of students have faced unprecedented disruption to their education and have had to adapt to such extreme measures at one of the most important times in their lives.

"I really cannot express just how proud I am of their success today. I also wish to thank every member of staff at the Academy whose hard work and sheer dedication during the last three years has got us to where we are now. They too had to endure so many changes to teaching and learning and they never gave up because they wanted to see these children succeed.

"We all wish these students the very best for the future and we look forward to seeing what they will go on to achieve next."

The nerves were showing as some of the high-scoring students opened their results. Emma Gillatt, who scored a grade 9 in Biology and a raft of grade 8s and 7s in other subjects, said she was "proud of herself" and thankful to the Academy for its "fantastic support."

Elena Dragomir, who also achieved grade 7s and 8s across the board and will now study A Levels at college, said: "In the first lockdown I revised a lot, but by the second it was difficult. I have done my best and I am very relieved."

Aspiring lawyer Aimee Baughan was congratulated by her parents, Michelle and Paul, as she opened her results to reveal two grade 9s and 8s and 7s in other subjects. Aimee will now study for her A levels at Tollbar Sixth Form College. She said: "I worked really hard and it was difficult. It was especially hard learning at home, but when we got back into school there was so much support."

Michelle said: "Covid was a horrific time, but Aimee excelled. We got through half a forest in notebooks as she put so much effort into her revision, attending extra classes and one-to-one sessions at the Academy. We are so very proud of her and thankful to the school."

Brook Burden will now go on to college to study to become a plumber after securing a fantastic set of GCSE results. "I went to every revision session and I think I worked very hard so I am really proud of myself today," he said.

James Payling hopes to one day work in Spain after achieving high grades in his GCSE exams. With a grade 7 in Spanish, he now intends to study Business, Economics and Spanish at college.

"GCSEs were tough with the Covid disruption but I took advantage of extra classes and tried not to stress. We were all in it together," he said.

Georgina Cross found online learning "tricky' and, like many students, was dubious as to whether the exams would even take place. Her parents, Vicky and Anthony Cross, said they were worried about the effects of the Covid disruption on their daughter's learning and thanked the Academy for getting the students through. Georgina will now study hairdressing at college.

Keira Appleton is on her way to studying Medicine after securing grade 7s and 8s in her GCSE exams. She will now study A levels in Psychology, Chemistry and Biology at college. "I am so happy," she confessed.

Aimee Baughan is thrilled with her fantastic GCSE results as she opens them with her parents, Michelle and Paul.

Smiles at last as students open their GCSE results at Cleethorpes Academy today.

Georgina Cross opened her results with mum and dad Vicky and Anthony on hand congratulate her.

Elena Dragomir and Emma Gillatt celebrate GCSE success at Cleethorpes Academy.

James Payling is thrilled with his GCSE results.

Grant Frost was confident he would get through his GCSE exams despite the Covid disruption and was in celebratory mood at Cleethorpes Academy.

Brook Burden’s hard work paid off with a fantastic set of results at Cleethorpes Academy.

Pride and delight from parents and students on GCSE results day at Cleethorpes Academy. Emily Killingworth opens her results.