Joy at Highfield

Highfield Academy pupils collect their GCSE results. Keeley Smith and Laura Mason compare results.

Some 50 per cent of students achieved a ‘standard pass’ in GCSE English and maths, achieving passes at grades 9 to 4.

One pupil, Keeley Smith, had particular cause for celebration, as she succeeded in boosting her maths grade from an ‘unqualified’ to a grade 7 - the equivalent of an A - in just a few short months.

She said: “It was constant revising. We got a private tutor so I was working all morning and all night.

“I’m so proud. I don’t know how I have done it.

“I’m going to go to college and I’m thinking of doing biology, chemistry and law.

“I either want to go the law route or the medicine route. I like a challenge.”

Fellow pupil Libby Thornley, of Kildonan Avenue, achieved three Grade 8 passes, four A*s and three As. She will now head to Cardinal Newman College in Preston to study biology, chemistry, English and history.

She said: “I feel really happy with my results - the hard work has paid off!

“Being a pupil at Highfield has shown me that you get out what you put in.”

Helen Mackenzie OBE, executive principal of Highfield Academy in South Shore, said: “Congratulations to our pupils on their results, and to their parents and the staff at Highfield too.

“It’s fantastic to see everyone’s hard work and support has led to a double-digit increase in Highfield pupils achieving the best GCSE grades.

“I’m proud to have joined the Highfield team. Together with my colleagues, I will ensure we build on the progress made over the last two years.”

Former head teacher Lynette Norris said: “I’m absolutely delighted. The students are outstanding; hard work was put in and clearly that has paid off.”