St Cuthbert’s students celebrate GCSE success

Students from St Cuthbert’s Catholic High School in St Helens were celebrating today as they received their GCSE results.

The school’s drama studio was filled with smiling faces as students received the results that would take them onto the next stage of their lives, from starting college or apprenticeships, to moving into employment or undertaking further professional training.

Ben Beswick, St Cuthbert’s head boy 2019-20, said: “I’m going on to Cronton College to study fine art, psychology and geography. Hopefully I’ll smash it as much as I have with my GCSEs.”

Kiera Darracott said: “I’m heading off to Cronton College to study maths, biology and chemistry to hopefully go on and study medicine at Uni.”

Lauren Hesketh, St Cuthbert’s head girl 2019-20, said: “The best thing about my time at St Cuthbert’s was the sense of community. It was like one big family. I’m over the moon with my results, what a way to finish my time here!”

McKenzie Price-Griffiths said: “I’m moving to Wales to do a football scholarship with Connah’s Quay Nomads – alongside A-levels – with hopes to become a professional footballer or go onto to university at some point.”

Freya Wynn said: “I’m going to Carmel College to study criminology, sociology and history. I can’t wait to start my next step.”

Matthew Scott said: “I’m going on to a level 3 BTEC performing arts course at MD. I’ve loved my time at St Cuthbert’s and the environment and people there.”

Saul Dinsdale said: “I’m heading off to LIPA to start a course in music. St Cuthbert’s has helped me so much with my music and I’ve loved playing every day in school.”

Catherine Twist, headteacher at St Cuthbert’s Catholic High School in St Helens, added: “After being faced with so much uncertainty, not just in recent weeks regarding grade allocation, but over the past six months, it has been wonderful to see so many of our students celebrating success that has been achieved in the most challenging of climates.

“We are over the moon that the correct decision was made earlier this week regarding this year’s GCSE results. Our young people are and always have been at the centre of any decisions. Our priority has always been to equip our students – not just academically but also socially and morally – to go out there and be able to hold their heads up high.

“Today we celebrate and acknowledge their achievements, as well as recognising the commitment of the teachers who worked extremely hard under very difficult circumstances during lockdown to ensure that every child achieved the best grade possible based on the evidence from mock exams and assessments.

“We would like to congratulate all of our Year 11 students and wish them the best of luck as they take the next step in their lives, be that going to college or moving into apprenticeships, employment or training.”