St Mary’s students overcome challenges to record excellent GCSE results

Students at St Mary’s College in Crosby have been praised by staff for overcoming coronavirus-related obstacles to achieve excellent GCSE results again this summer.

More than half (52 per cent) of all passes at the school were at the highest 9-7 grades, and 41 per cent of candidates achieved seven or more passes at these top levels.

Almost a quarter of students (23 per cent) recorded ten or more 9-7 grades, and of these nine pupils achieved 11 or more top-grade passes each.

87 per cent of candidates are celebrating ten or more GCSE passes, with many achieving 11. The overall GCSE pass rate at St Mary’s this year was 98.7 per cent.

Staff at the school believe these results reflect the broad and balanced curriculum at St. Mary’s, and the fact that the college does not restrict the number of GCSE subjects that students can choose to take.

In terms of individual achievement Sami Al-Machhoor from Prescot and Victoria McKinley-Smith from Mossley Hill were top of the class at the Crosby school this year.

Sami achieved a full house of eleven top grade 9s in biology, chemistry, physics, English language, English literature, maths, further maths, French, Spanish, history and religious studies.

Meanwhile Victoria achieved grade 9s in nine subjects – biology, chemistry, English language, English literature, French, German, history, music and religious studies – plus 8s in maths and physics.

Sami said: “I’m really proud and thrilled with my results. It’s been a tough few years and I’m really glad all the hard work has paid off.

“I can’t thank my teachers and family enough for their support. I’m really looking forward to joining the Sixth Form at St Mary’s to study biology, chemistry, maths and further maths at A-level.”

Victoria said: “After all the disruption of the past year I’m so relieved to have achieved these grades. I’m looking forward to pursuing my A-level studies at St Mary’s in French, German, history and music. I couldn’t have done it without the overwhelming support of my family and teachers.

“I’m incredibly proud of myself and all of my classmates and would like to say huge congratulations to everyone!”

St Mary’s College principal, Mike Kennedy, said: “I am very pleased with this summer’s GCSE achievements and the way students had been determined to overcome the challenges posed by Covid-19.

“These results are a testament both to the hard work of our students over the past five years, and the ongoing support they have received from staff and parents over this period.

“They also reflect the commitment of our pupils, who responded brilliantly to the challenges of remote learning during the lockdowns, and were determined to ensure that their learning continued, despite the obstacles they faced.”

Mr Kennedy said this commitment was vital because GCSEs are a key milestone in a student’s educational journey.

He added: “Achieving good GCSE grades is a firm foundation on which students can build future success at A-level, at university and in their future careers. That’s why these results, reflecting the positive response we have seen to the coronavirus pandemic, are so important. All our students and their families should be very proud of what they have achieved.”