The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
Spalding Academy’s headteacher believes this year’s GCSE results will be “way above average” building on last year’s showing.
Mr Laurence Reilly was pleased with the showing from last Year’s 11s.
Leading the way was Maria Pasinato achieved a grade nine in art while there were grade eights achieved in a range of subjects, including English language, English literature, mathematics, science, history, RE, art and Spanish.
Deimante Kozyrenkaite achieved a grade eight in science, together with grade sevens in English, mathematics, geography, history and religious studies, capping it a with a distinction* in BTEC business studies.
Not to be outdone, Jack Felts succeeded in all his examinations, achieving grade 7s in his two science GCSEs, as well as in mathematics, geography and food technology and also achieving a Distinction* in business studies.
Lucy Taylor, was another of Spalding Academy’s top performers getting eights in English Literature and RE, a host of sixes and a distinction in health and social care.
She’s going to study A Levels including sociology and psychology at Bourne Academy but ultimately wants to do something in psychology.
“I’ve always had a fascination with how people work and why people behave like they do,” she said. “I’d like to be a child psychologist if possible, but if not then then as a councillor or something similar. I just want to do something to help others.”
Students are hoping to go into a host of varied careers including George Craig looking to become a carpenter while Miguel Da Silva is hoping to do something in mechanical engineering.
Kerry Gratton is looking to continue a family history of farming after being delighted with here results, particularly an eight in history that’s allowed her to go to University Academy Holbeach to study A Levels.
She said: “I’ve always liked history and I’ve got a brilliant history teacher in Miss Paula Baker.
“I want to go into land management as my family are all farmers so I’m quite interested in that.”
Mr Reilly said of the results: ‘We were keen to demonstrate that the improvement in GCSE results in 2017 at Spalding Academy was not a ‘one year wonder’.
“This was made more of a challenge as we faced the change in GCSE grading from letter grades to the new 1 to 9 system, with more emphasis on final examinations and less coursework.
“I am delighted that we have not just sustained the improvement from 2016, but have increased the overall progress of our students this year.
“We estimate that the vital ‘Progress 8’ measure that is closely scrutinised by Ofsted – when published – will show that Spalding Academy students make progress well above the national average.
“Alongside all the everyday improvements at the school, Spalding Academy is now in a position to demonstrate that it is a ‘good’ school in Ofsted terms, offering a broad and balanced education with consistently good results at the end of Year 11.”
