GCSE results: Another year of top results at Whitworth Community High School

Date published: 23 August 2019

Students of Whitworth Community High School once again achieved above and beyond on Thursday (22 August 2019) as they collected their hard-earned GCSE results.

The bottom of a grade 7 is comparable to the bottom of the old grade A, whilst the bottom of a new grade 4 is comparable to the bottom of the old grade C. Grade 9 is the equivalent of above an A*.

Despite spinal surgery and starting her education at Whitworth Community High School on crutches, Chanelle Pearson achieved the qualifications needed to land her dream career.

She walked tall when she attended school to collect her results and was delighted to secure a place at Bury College on a Level 3 diploma in travel and tourism – a step nearer her dream of joining cabin crew.

Chanelle, 16, suffers from CRPS – Chronic Regional Pain Syndrome – of which she was diagnosed in 2015, and has two fractures of the spine.

In December 2017, she had an operation on her spine at Alder Hey Children's Hospital, Liverpool, and a further one in July this year. Both times pain blocks were inserted into her back so when she is in pain, she is able to directly administer medication to relieve the symptoms.

Despite this, Chanelle achieved a grade 8 in English literature and six further GCSEs, along with a BTEC merit in travel and tourism.

She said: “I moved high schools and, at first, I was struggling to walk and was in and out of hospitals. My condition stops me moving and walking and sometimes makes it difficult to do anything.

“I didn’t expect to do that well and I had a lot of support and extra tuition from teachers. I also dropped a few subjects, so I could concentrate on what I wanted to do."

 

 

Future aeronautical engineer. Dominic Pratt, has got his career off to a flying start with four GCSE's at grade 9.

The Whitworth Community High School student got the top grade in maths, biology, chemistry and physics, as well as grade 8 in drama, grades 7 in English language, geography and religious studies and two further GCSEs. He is now going on to study A-levels in maths and sciences at Rochdale Sixth Form College.

Dominic, 16, from Shawclough, said: “I am hoping to go on to university, possibly in Manchester or even higher.

“I am passionate about all the subjects I have picked. Physics is my favourite.”

 

 

Megan Lucas, head prefect at Whitworth Community High School, hopes to become a food scientist after achieving excellent GCSE results.

She will now be studying English literature and language combined, chemistry, biology and history A-levels at Burnley College and hopes to do an additional honours course qualification.

She said: “I was in the Debate Society at school and I have really come out of my shell, thanks to Mrs Iqbal, who runs the club. Every Friday lunchtime I would attend the society and it gave me a lot of confidence.

“Thanks to my English teacher, Miss Barnes, I also rediscovered my love for English language and I am now going on to study it at A-level.”

Megan, 16, achieved grade 9 in religious studies, grade 8's in biology, chemistry and English literature and grade 7's in English language, physics, maths, history and computer science and a BTEC distinction star in food studies.

She hopes to study food science, possibly at Leeds, and go into the food industry where she hopes to develop new products.

 

 

A two-hour dash back from his holiday in the Lake District was rewarded for Whitworth’s Ryan Pye when he achieved top grades in three of his GCSE's.

As well as grade 9's in maths, physics and chemistry, he achieved grade 8's in music, religious studies, biology, English Literature and Language and grade 7s in history and art and design.

The 15-year-old is now looking forward to studying maths, physics and music, also at Rochdale Sixth Form College.

He said: “I would like to do a degree in astro-physics, that is the field I would like to go into so I am studying maths and physics A-levels. I also like music and play the drums and guitar, so it will be good to also be doing a completely different subject at A-level.”

Ryan said he expected to get good results because he had achieved highly in his mock exams.

He added: “I worked harder for these exams than I did for my mocks. I've enjoyed my time in school and have made some really good friends.”

 

 

Head prefect Alysha Quigley gained two grade 9's in English language and religious studies and hopes to be an English teacher in Spain.

She also gained a grade 8 in English literature, grade 7's in drama, history and biology and four other GCSEs.

Alysha said: “I am going to Rochdale Sixth Form to study English language, English literature and Spanish.

“I enjoy the challenge of learning and when teachers set you a goal to get a certain grade and you then achieve it.”

Alysha has thrown herself into school life being an anti-bullying ambassador, chair of the Debate Society, a language leader, completed her Duke of Edinburgh bronze and silver, a fire cadet, been on the youth enterprise team and starred in two school shows.

 

 

Having started her high school journey in set 3 for maths, Isabel Dexter moved up to set 1 and achieved a grade 7 at maths GCSE. She also picked up a grade 8 in religious studies, further grade 7's in English language and literature and five other GCSE's.

Isabel, 16, from Whitworth, said: “I will be studying law, psychology and sociology at Rochdale Sixth Form and I want to be a lawyer. I have always found law quite interesting and enjoy watching crime and court programmes.

“I didn’t expect to do so well in maths, but I worked hard and I also got support from my teachers."

Headteacher of Whitworth Community High School, Gill Middlemas, said: “We are delighted with this year’s GCSE results that are outstanding and which, as expected, reflect the hard work and commitment of our students, staff, families and governors.

“English and maths have delivered strong performances yet again, with students of all abilities, and with another increase in grades 7 and above and in the top grade 9.

“Over half of our students achieved at least one grade 7, showing how our wide range of option subjects offers all students chance to excel.

“We are proud of our students: their dedication, aspiration and, above all, their resilience – especially those who have experienced very challenging personal circumstances during Year 11.

“These fantastic results will enable our young people to fulfil their ambitions post-16 and I would like to wish them every success for the future.”