Maximum grades for brightest pupils

THE brightest of the bright across Yorkshire have every reason to celebrate after taking a strong haul of maximum grades in their GCSEs.

In Leeds Chessy Whallen picked up an incredible 11 A*s this year but it was the one subject in which she missed out on the top grade that made her the most proud.

The Grammar School at Leeds pupil scored A*s in science, additional science, maths, English Literature, English Language, religious studies, history, French, Spanish, music, and Latin and an A in PE.

To study for 12 subjects she had to do Latin in her spare time and she decided to take on PE as a challenge to herself in spite of not enjoying the subject during her earlier years at the school.

“I chose PE because I wanted to push myself and of all my grades that is the one which I think is the biggest achievement.”

The teenager now plans to stay on at the independent school’s sixth form before going on to university to read law.

Chessy was one of two Grammar School at Leeds pupils who achieved 11A*s along with Alexander White.

Also in Leeds, Cindy Lee from Gipton earned 11 A*s at Roundhay School which enjoyed its best ever results yesterday. She achieved top mark in maths, English language, English literature, Chinese, Spanish, Geography, history, statistics, science, additional science and design technology textiles.

She is now planning on staying on at Roundhay’s sixth form before going to university.

She said: “I was surprised but I expected to get a few A* stars as I had worked really hard.”

St Wilfred’s School Catholic High School in Featherstone, West Yorkshire, also enjoyed strong results with 10 pupils achieving 14 A’s and A* grades. These students were Rachel Chadwick, Amy Cunningham, Rachael Dunnill, Alexander Hill, Adam Hogan, Joanna Keighley, Ciaran Murphy, Lauren Simpson, Jessica Tinkler, Oliver Waite.

Students at Hymers College, in Hull, were also celebrating picking up a haul of top marks yesterday. Five pupils achieved 10 A*s – Emily Bentley, James Matthews, Vieri Thonet, Laura Waldren and Mahir Yousuff while Andrew Chia, Matthew Fitzpatrick, and Laura Morgan all received 9A*s.

In East Yorkshire, Pocklington School saw several pupils achieving top marks with Agnieszka Jakubowska proving to be top of the class after achieving 10 A* grades. Alexandra Howard and Hannah Hutchinson achieved 9 A*s.

In South Yorkshire, Sheffield High School enjoyed a series of high-level attainments, with several pupils receiving run of A*s.

Sophie Beard from Lodge Moor recorded 11 A* in her GCSEs with her fellow students Georgina Fairclough, Hannah Davies, Ashni Lakhani, Nadiah Fernandes and Claire Dore not far behind with 10 A*s.

Enjoying a double success however was Amy Potter from Millhouses who not only garnered 10 A* grades but also was selected for the England Netball Under 17 squad.

In York the GCSE results at Bootham School emulated last week’s A-level successes as the Quaker School reported 19 students gaining at least 10 or more A or A* grades Among the top performers are Christopher Ellery, Robert Hart and Stephen Woodmansey, who each scored 11 A*s.

Bootham headteacher Jonathan Taylor said: “What I find most pleasing is that our students are achieving success across a range of rigorous, academic subjects. They follow a very broad curriculum at GCSE. Some cynics talk of dumbing down – instead, I would celebrate our students’ academic breadth, variety and sticking power.”

Also in York St Peter’s School also saw success with Alexandra Akehurst, George Hourston, Tom Kimpson, Jessica Phillips, Charlotte Terry and Charlotte Worsman all garnering 10 A* grades.

Also in North Yorkshire, Harrogate's Ashville College reported success with almost half its GCSE pupils passing with either A or A* grades.