Sixth form students at Dyke House, Thorp and Walbottle Academies have performed well in their A level and vocational qualifications this summer

Northern Education Trust has 6^th form provision at three of its academies – Dyke House Academy in Hartlepool, Thorp Academy in Tyne and Wear, and Walbottle Academy in Newcastle.  The trust is delighted with the results for its A level students this year, with the majority achieving the grades required to allow them to access their first choice university placement, a number of whom have achieved top grades.  A higher than average number of students will also progress to Russell Group universities.

Poppy Brooks-Tyreman, who achieved 2 A* and 1 A, said “I could not have wished for any better.  I was really supported by Thorp, despite going through illness.  No-one gave up on me.”  Poppy is going to the University of Warwick to study history and philosophy.

Daniel Rodrigues achieved 3 A*, and is going to Durham University to study politics and international relations.  He said “I’m ecstatic.  I feel like all the hard work has paid off, but it hasn’t quite sunk in yet.  I think I might like to go into the civil service or work in diplomacy, but I’m looking forward to making new friends at Durham and becoming more independent.”

Lucas Kennington achieved 3 A* and a Distinction* and said “I’m really happy that I achieved the grades needed for my university place (at the University of Glasgow to study computer science), and also relieved.  It’s been a pleasure learning at Thorp.  I’m looking into a career as a patent attorney.  I’ve always liked inventions and think it would be really interesting.”

Keen rower Erin Temple achieved 2 A* and 1 A, and said “I’m absolutely over the moon, my results are beyond what I could have expected.  I’m going to do a rowing gap year at a London university, then going to the USA to study history and sociology, whilst pursuing my rowing.”

Jessica Yong achieved a magnificent 4 A* and 1 A with Dyke House, and is going on to study medicine at the University of Cambridge.  She said “I am speechless with my results – they are beyond what I expected to achieve!  I am really excited to study anatomy as part of my course and cannot wait to build new friendships with those who also have an interest in medicine.”

All the students had some good advice for students moving up to 6^th form in September: work hard, and remember it’s a long game over two years – trust the routines and process.  Keep calm and keep trying, even if things go wrong.  Start revising early – then you’ll have less to do at the last minute.  And finally, have a work routine but don’t let it take over your life – make sure you still have a social life – balance is everything.

Students have achieved some phenomenal results in individual subjects.  At Thorp Academy:

Computer Science 100% A/A*
German 100% A
French 100% A/B
Religious Studies 100% A*/B
English Literature 80% A/A*
Fine Art 80% A*/B
History 86% A*/B
Maths 58% A*/A

At Dyke House Academy:

English Language 100% A*-C
English Literature 100% A*/B
Engineering 100% A*/B
Health & Social Care 100% A*/B
Further Maths 100% A
Business 100% A-C
Politics 100% A-C
History 84% A*/B
Sociology 80% A-C
Maths 50% A*-B

At Walbottle Academy, 51% of students achieved A* to B grades, and 73% of students achieved A* to C grades.

Rob Tarn, Chief Executive, said: “We are extremely pleased with the A level results this year, which overall show a continual improvement in outcomes for our students, ensuring they are well equipped to progress to the next stage of their lives.  These young people have endured a tumultuous few years in their academic journey, and we must remember that they have never sat public examinations before, having been due to take their GCSEs in 2020, which were cancelled due to the pandemic.  To achieve these results against this background is testament to their hard work and commitment and we are immensely proud of them.  I am very grateful to our dedicated staff for their relentless focus on ensuring these young people were not disadvantaged by the disruption caused by the pandemic, and I know they join me in wishing them every success for their future.”