A-level success for County Durham students

The key grades were once again teacher assessed as a result of the disruption caused by the Covid pandemic.

Young people with the results they need are now preparing for new studies, and new lives, at university.

Theo Hunt, 18, who studied at St John’s Catholic School and Sixth Form College, Bishop Auckland, is heading to Manchester to read Politics and Modern History after achieving three A*s in History, English Literature and RE (Philosophy and Ethics).

Theo said: “Going back into lockdown in January was difficult but the school was brilliant, all the teachers worked hard to ensure we had the support we needed.”

Fellow student Elisha Yorke, 18, an artistic gymnast-turned tumbler, is heading to Manchester to read Spanish and Business Management after achieving A*, A and B in her A Levels.

She said: “I’m really happy with my results and I’m excited to go to Manchester.”

Ben Richmond, 18, from Bishop Auckland achieved two Bs in Criminology and Psychology and a D* in Btec IT.

He completed his education remotely from March 2020, including his entire Year 13 year.

“I’m really pleased with my results; I’m taking a year out and I’m going to have to learn how to drive,” said Ben.

“Then I’m hoping to do a degree apprenticeship with the police.

“There’s lots of avenues to explore career-wise in the police but I’d love to be a detective one day.”

Phoebe Dempsey

Phoebe Dempsey

With a love of Biology and animals Phoebe Dempsey, 18, from Bishop Auckland is attending the University of Glasgow to study Zoology having achieved two Bs and a C in Physics, Biology and Chemistry.

Achieving four A*s in English Language/Literature, Media Studies, Spanish, and an EPQ, Jasmine Bark, 18, from Crook is heading to the University of York to read English Literature.

“I love writing and my goal is to become a ghost writer,” said Jasmine. “I know that might sound silly and I’m sure nobody says that’s their goal because it’s kind of writing with none of the credit, but I think it’d be really interesting and you’d get to meet some cool people.”

Daniel Avery McAleese, 18, from Ferryhill is attending the University of Nottingham to study Veterinary Medicine. Daniel achieved three A*s in Biology, Physics and Chemistry.

“We’ve got horses at home and I love them so maybe I’ll become an equine vet.”

Twins Beatrice and Harriet Caulton are also celebrating and they are heading to the University of Durham and University of York respectively.

Beatrice achieved two A*s and a B in Sociology, Psychology and Chemistry. Harriet achieved two A*s and a B in Sociology, RE and Psychology.

Headteacher Lisa Byron said: “It has been a very difficult year for young people in education but our students have been resilient and committed to their studies, despite all of the challenges they have faced.

“Their excellent results are a testimony to their dedication, hard work and determination to do well.”

At Durham High School special congratulations went to deputy head girl Ria Kejariwal who achieved 4 A* grades and an A* in the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ); Lexi Herriott, who achieved 4 A* grades; head girl Sunanya Aggarwal and prefect Amy Charlesworth, who each achieved 3 A* grades and an A* in the EPQ, and deputy head girl Nell Guthrie, who achieved 3 A* grades and an A in the EPQ.

Students will now be embarking on a diverse and wide range of courses from classics, medicine and law, to history and economics, veterinary science and sport and exercise science.

They will also be studying in all corners of the country, with pupils headed to, among others, Imperial College London, Durham University, University of York, Loughborough University and University of Edinburgh.

Headmistress Simone Niblock said: “We are so proud of our pupils for their success today, which highlights their forbearance and strength in character in what has been an unprecedented two years in the Sixth Form for them.

“There has been a lot of uncertainty, and intense media scrutiny, during this period, and they deserve to reap the rewards of their resilience and hard work.”

Luke Coxon

Luke Coxon

At East Durham College, in Peterlee, Luke Coxon got three A* grades, and will be studying law at Newcastle University.

In BTEC Applied Science, student Samia Ijaz, 18 from Billingham, received three Distinction Star grades and will be going to study Zoology at Manchester Metropolitan University.

Evan Carroll, 19, from Hartlepool, received 4 A* grades in English Literature, English Language, History and Law.

He will be moving on to study English at Durham University this September.

Evan, a student who had previously struggled in education due an Asperger’s diagnosis, said: “Before I joined ED6, I don’t think I really knew how to learn. The lecturers here just understood me better – it really feels like a small community, and you get a time to build a rapport with the lecturers.”

Daniel Walters received an A* in Chemistry, A* in Biology and an A in Maths, and will be going to study chemistry at Leeds University.

“Aiden Hunter-Bewick received an A in Chemistry, A in Biology and a B in computing, and will be studying chemistry at Newcastle University.

Harry Masters also received an A in Biology, A in Chemistry and an A in History, and will be joining Aiden studying Chemistry at Newcastle University.

Andrew Finley, headteacher of Park View Sixth Form and Park View Academy of Sport, said: “Our students never fail to deliver, however, and they have not only displayed undoubted academic prowess but have shown an incredible amount of resilience too.

“We wish all of our leavers and their families the very best for the future.”

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