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Rayner Stephens High School in Dukinfield welcomed students and families of their Class of 2021 to celebrate their success on GCSE results day.
Year 11 pupils from the Yew Tree Lane school received their grades on Thursday (12 August) after a challenging year of uncertainty amid the coronavirus pandemic.
For the second year in a row, exams were cancelled and results were instead awarded through a process of teacher-assessed grades set against national standards, which were subsequently approved by examination boards.
A spokesperson for Rayner Stephens said: "Learners undertook a rigorous in school assessment process and worked tirelessly with real determination to succeed. The learners at Rayner Stephens, like others, have had to adapt quickly to the challenges of remote learning and have shown real resilience and drive throughout this uncertain period."
Among those celebrating was Rayner Stephens’ Head Girl Lucy Wilkinson (pictured above) who achieved an amazing ten grade 9s, including two distinctions, plus one 8 grade.
Lucy is going on to the XL high achievers programme at Ashton Sixth Form where she will study A Level Maths, Biology and Chemistry.
Lucy then hopes to go to university and train for a career in medicine, her aim one day to become a surgeon.
Lucy is a keen footballer, playing for Ashton Pumas, and is also a football referee, as well as a young leader for Manchester City Girls Empowerment programme.
Her full results were grade 9s in French (distinction), biology, chemistry, physics, English language (distinction), English literature, history, PE, art and Maths with a grade 8 in statistics.
There were many other individual examples of success, including Ryan Bennett whose hard work during his final year paid off as he excelled with two grade 8s in Geography and Business Studies. He's now planning to attend Ashton Sixth Form College to study Business and is also exploring the options of two additional A-Levels on the back of his success.
Meanwhile, Eve Loughman received a 'fantastic set of results' including a 7 in English Language and three 6’s in Art & Design, Maths and English Literature. She is now very excited to be heading to Ashton Sixth Form to study A-Level Psychology, Business and English Literature.
Rebecca Hamer had a challenging start to her time at Rayner Stephens but, through hard work and perseverance, gained 'an amazing set of results' including a 5 in Art and Design, along with a 4 in English, that she hopes her Nan is really proud of.
Matthew Tickle was 'over the moon' to receive a 'set of excellent grades' including a 7 in Maths, 5s in Biology and Chemistry a 6 in Physics. He is now on his way to Ashton Sixth Form to study A-Level Maths, Physics and 3D Design. Matthew said he is looking forward to the challenge and is pleased that all of his hard work has paid off.
Holly Clayton and her family were 'incredibly pleased' with her results, after she received a 5 in Art & Design and 4s in English, Maths and Science. She's now excited to attend Ashton Sixth Form, where she will be studying Forensic Science. Holly said she feels a new confidence after receiving her results and is looking forward to a career in science.
Elsewhere, Zane Marsh has been accepted in to Blackpool and the Fylde College, where he will be studying Sport and continuing to train and play as a midfielder for Fleetwood Town Football Club in the Under-18s team. Rayner Stephens say Zane has "always shown a real dedication to his studies whilst maintaining the efforts to excel in his ever improving football career".
Maisy Taylor was overjoyed when she saw her results. She received three grade 8 stars, 2 grade 7s, 3 grade 6s and a 55 in Combined Science. Maisy is now excited to be attending Aquinas College, Stockport, from September to study A-Level French, History, English and Drama.
Paige Brown excelled in Maths and Science, gaining 4s across the board, and cannot wait to start her Animal Management course at Tameside College. She is looking forward to learning about the care of animals and getting to spend lots of time with them.
Melanie Wicks, Executive Principal of Stamford Park Trust, which includes Rayner Stephens High School, said: "This year group have been through unprecedented circumstances throughout the COVID-19 pandemic having experienced an interrupted education since March 2020.
"The learners have shown real perseverance and adapted successfully to new methods of teaching and learning whilst successfully navigating periods of self-isolation, illness and uncertainty. We as a school are immensely proud of their abilities to adapt so pro-actively and it is fantastic to see our learner’s progress onto their chosen destinations in spite of the difficulties they faced.
"I would also like to offer my personal thanks to all the staff at Rayner Stephens who have taught, supported and cared for all of our learners in the most difficult of times. They too have been through an extremely turbulent and unsettling year but never failed to put our learners at the heart of everything they do. The care and attention shown by all staff throughout this process has exemplified their professionalism and dedication to our learners.
"Well done to everyone in the Rayner Stephens family, we will forever be proud of your achievements."
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