Champion effort - high achievers

Aug 27 2008 Staines News

MATTHEW ARNOLD, STAINES

WITH the title of England's most improved school between the years 2004 and 2007 to live up to, Matthew Arnold pupils were under pressure.

The Kingston Road school earned the accolade from the Government in January and head teacher Jackie Pearson was delighted it managed to keep up its high standards, with 63% of entrants passing five or more subjects at grades A*-C. She said: "Expectations were high and I am delighted so many children have achieved or exceeded their targets."

Among the highest achievers was British under-16 gymnastics champion Laura Burgon, who had four A* grades, six A grades and two B grades, despite seven training sessions a week.

Laura, of Templedene Avenue, Staines, said: "It was hard fitting my school work around my training, so I'm pleased."

MAGNA CARTA SCHOOL, EGHAM HYTHE

TEACHERS and pupils of Magna Carta School achieved the best GCSE results in the history of the school, according to the head teacher.

Sixty percent of students sitting GCSEs achieved five or more passes at A* to C grades, compared with 54% last year. Twenty-one percent attracted either an A grade or A*.

The percentage including maths and English was 53%.

Head teacher Tim Smith attributed the results to a new study regime. The school banned study leave this year in favour of revision lessons right up to the exams. It also introduced breakfast revision sessions on exam mornings.

Mr Smith said: "We are ecstatic about the results - they are the best in the history of the school.

"The morning warm-up sessions have been great - the pupils were all willing conscripts and found them very useful.

Parents, pupils and teachers all worked hard and we're thrilled it has paid off."

ST DAVID'S SCHOOL,ASHFORD

AS WELL as toiling over her revision, Ella Kirby was also thinking of her future at the London Olympics in London 2012.

Training 18 hours a week in the pool, Ella, who came fourth in the national junior breast stroke championships two weeks ago, picked up four A grades and four B grades in her GCSEs at St David's School, Ashford.

She said: "It was quite diffi-cult to fit my work around my training but I have done better than I thought. I wasn't nervous. I've just been so busy with the swimming that I haven't had time to think about it."

She was one of many successes at St David's, an independent girls' school in Stanwell Road, where 95% of entrants achieved five subjects in A*-C grades - a record result.

Head teacher Tessa Smith said: "Our girls have not only lived up to our high expectations, they have surpassed them."

THOMAS KNYVETT COLLEGE, ASHFORD

THOMAS Knyvett College continued its improvement after being moved out of special measures in January.

The school, formerly Ash Technology College, was put on the government critical list three-and-a-half years ago because it was failing to give its pupils an acceptable standard of education.

The percentage of candidates who achieved five subjects at A*-C grades was 45% compared with 41% last year.

The results were impressive in maths, in which 60% of entrants got A*-C, in English, which saw 53% of candidates had A*-C, and science, where results were up about 10%.

Head teacher Nicola Aboud said: "We are pleased that the pupils have done so well. We anticipate a significant leap in results for 2009."

THAMESMEAD,SHEPPERTON

PHILIP GREEN  waltzed his way to an A* in dance and declared, "Now for the West End!"

Philip, from Shepperton, a pupil of Thamesmead, Shepperton, dreams of being a star both on TV and stage, but will first attend the Italia Conti Arts Centre in Guildford to hone his skills.

He said: "I want to keep all my options open and hopefully the sky is the limit. I love dance and I can't wait to start in Guildford."

Laura Scott, from Ashford, scooped 11 subjects in the top A* grade. She said: "I so wanted to do well and all the work has paid off."

Head teacher Peter Rodin said Laura's haul was a record for the school. "It's stunning and she's a lovely girl as well."

SUNBURY MANOR SCHOOL

HEAD teacher of Sunbury Manor School Louise Duncan was beaming after 72% of her entrants attained five or more A*-C grades.

She said: "We knew from the way the students worked in the lead-up to the exams and from their attitude and behaviour that we were looking at something very special this year.

"They are a credit to themselves, their families and the school."

One star performer was Nikki Betteridge from Helgiford Gardens, Sunbury, who got 11 A grades.

She said: "I'm happy and relieved because I was nervous this morning."

Georgia Wood, from Ashford, who gained an A* in food technology, said: "It's my favourite subject and I worked really hard in it. I'm really happy."

Adam Rossington-Smith, from Feltham, got five A grades and said: "I'm just glad it's all over, I have been looking forward to finding out for so long."

ST PAUL'S, SUNBURY

MATTHEW Uryzag, of Windmill Close, Sunbury,achieved six of his subjects at grade A, three of them starred.

Matthew sat a total of 21 exams and passed them all, gaining a record for the St Paul's Catholic College year of a total 14 qualifications.

"I took each exam as it came," he said. Kate French-Morris, of Sunbury,who gained eight A*s, said: "I thought I was set for As and Bs, so these results are beyond my wildest dreams. I'm going to go out for a meal with my family to celebrate."

Kate's clutch of top grades was one of the many success stories at St Paul's this year,where head teacher Simon Uttley reported a 20% increase to 71% in the number of entrants who gained five or more passes at A*-C.

He said: "The results are outstanding. When I arrived three years ago, I was asked to do a turnaround job and these results really prove we're going in the right direction."

Other high achievers included Steph Canning who had five A*s among his passes, Joshua Rees who had seven A*s and Will Thornton, who weighed in with nine A grades.

HALLIFORD, SHEPPERTON

A LEAGUE table might show that Halliford School in Shepperton produced no pupil who achieved five or more subjects at grades A*-C, but head Philip Cottam knows better.

He explained: "Actually, 86% of exam entrants achieved the standard but because we do the Cambridge board's International GCSEs in maths and sciences, the results don't show.

"But, at 86%, it's been another successful year."

James Taylor,from Chertsey, got five A grades and an A* among his passes. He said: "I was feeling so nervous last night and I was up at six this morning, but I'm happy now and feeling great."

Will Smith, from Twickenham, was planning a party at his house after getting four of his subjects at A grade.