English Martyrs hail 'excellent' GCSE results

Leaders at English Martyrs school praised hard-working students for an excellent set of GCSE results.
Marcin Antoszczak with his GCSE at English Martyrs School Picture by FRANK REIDMarcin Antoszczak with his GCSE at English Martyrs School Picture by FRANK REID
Marcin Antoszczak with his GCSE at English Martyrs School Picture by FRANK REID

There were scenes of jubilation and relief this morning when teenagers opened their results after weeks of waiting.

The school achieved a pass rate of 63% for students earning five or more top A* to C grades including maths and English, and 66% in all subjects.

Olivia Bennison with her GCSE at English Martyrs School Picture by FRANK REIDOlivia Bennison with her GCSE at English Martyrs School Picture by FRANK REID
Olivia Bennison with her GCSE at English Martyrs School Picture by FRANK REID
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Headteacher Stephen Hammond said: “Our students are to be congratulated on these results.

“The fact that 66% of our students have achieved five or more A*-C grades is something of which we are very proud.”

Top performing students include straight A girl Olivia Benson, 16, who achieved five A* and five As.

She said: “I’m really, really pleased with them. I wasn’t expecting to do this well and thought a lot of exams had gone pretty bad but apparently not.”

GCSE results day at English Martyrs School Picture by BERNADETTE MALCOLMSONGCSE results day at English Martyrs School Picture by BERNADETTE MALCOLMSON
GCSE results day at English Martyrs School Picture by BERNADETTE MALCOLMSON
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Another high flier was Sarah Storey who achieved four A*s and five As. 

And Berand Dos Santos, originally from Portugal and who joined English Martyrs three years ago with English as his second language, gained two A*, six As and three Bs.

Berand, of the Hart Lane area, said: “I didn’t expect so much to be honest.

“I would have been buzzing with a C in English but I got a B.”

GCSE results day at English Martyrs School Picture by BERNADETTE MALCOLMSONGCSE results day at English Martyrs School Picture by BERNADETTE MALCOLMSON
GCSE results day at English Martyrs School Picture by BERNADETTE MALCOLMSON
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Berand is off to Hartlepool Sixth Form College in September where he has been awarded a football scholarship and to study A-levels.

Martin Antoszczak, 16, who hopes to become a surgeon, secured two A*, six As and two Bs. He said: “I didn’t have any particular expectations so I’m obviously happy and pleased with my results.”

And Elizabeth Shanks achieved nine grade A passes and an A* in English Language.

As well as the large number of students who are staying on to study A Level courses, many are beginning apprenticeships and employment.

Two students, Alisha Dixon and Patrick Mulvey, have been fast tracked onto the Caterpillar Apprenticeship Scheme in an outstanding opportunity.