Students across Liverpool are celebrating after receiving their GCSE results today.
Hundreds of Year 11 students throughout the city have opened their envelopes at school this morning to find out how they fared in the first formal exams held since 2019. Much like their older peers receiving A-levels last week, this year’s cohort were the first to sit exams since the onset of the covid-19 pandemic, with teacher-based grades being awarded in 2020 and 2021.
Among those celebrating were Rhiannon Zeqaj at Notre Dame Catholic College, who secured four grade 9s - the equivalent of an A* - including in her favourite subject English Literature. She said: “I didn’t think I’d get what I got, I can’t believe I’ve done it.”
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Rhiannon, 16, who said she was “relieved” to have her results, said she’d be staying on her school to study English. Joseph Riley, received six grade 9s, two 8s and two 7s in his results.
The teenager said he had ambitions to study abroad one day. He said: “I’m very, very happy.
“When I came out of the exams I had that ‘what’s done is done’ attitude.” Joseph, also 16, added that he’d be interested in going into politics after his language studies of English literature and Spanish.
Bonnie May Jackson, from Bootle, couldn’t keep the smile off her face as she opened her envelope to reveal five grade 8 results. She said: “I felt sick when I woke up but I’m relieved.
“I want to go into primary teaching as I’ve been inspired by my own teachers here.” Bonnie May said she’d be sticking around at Notre Dame to continue her studies in English, History and Sociology.
Peter Duffy, headteacher at Notre Dame, said: “For a lot of these students, they’ll have had siblings who went through the covid period so it will have been even more anxious for them. We’ve broadly matched how we did in 2019, which is a huge credit to the students.
“We’re really pleased, the pandemic hit this community hard, but the children’s career paths won’t miss a step now.” Celebrations were also underway across the city.
Julia Taylor, Principal at Belvedere Academy, said: “We are enjoying celebrating with our Year 11 pupils this morning as they receive their GCSE results. What a challenging two years this has been for these young people and their families as well as for the staff, and yet these results have enabled them all to take their next steps onto courses of their choice.
“I am so proud of our pupils who showed immense resilience when studying for these challenging qualifications. I am also so grateful to the staff at Belvedere who carried on providing quality teaching throughout the pandemic and gave so much of their own time to support our pupils as they prepared for their final examinations.
“We are looking forward to continuing the journey into Sixth Form with the majority of our pupils and wish those who have opted for other routes post 16 all the very best of luck in the future.”
Staff at North Liverpool Academy reported a number of students securing top grades while Gateacre School tweeted their pride in their students’ achievements.
At Bluecoat School, Keaziah Camillus secured an impressive 11 grade 9s. She said: “I rang my parents to tell them, and my Mum started crying, I am so proud.”
Charlotte Taylor achieved 10 9s and one 8. She said: “With covid, the last few years have been scary at times.
“I actually did a lot better than I thought I would, and I would like to thank my teachers who have supported me through all of this.” Frad Lang also secured 10 grade 9s and hoped that this is one of the first steps to helping him secure a place at Oxbridge. He said: “It has been hard work.
"In the run up to the exams I spent all day revising – but it has paid off.” Stephanie Currie was not even at the school today, and had to ring in from a holiday in Morocco to get her results.
It was a phone call worth making as she also secured 11 GCSEs at grade 9.
Scilla Yates, headteacher, said: “Building upon the incredible results that our students achieved at A-level last week, today’s GCSE grades are equally impressive. Inspiring excellence is at the heart of all that we do at The Blue Coat School, and it fills me with so much pride to see our students excel academically.
“That is, however, just part of the story and it is a great privilege to see our students grow and develop as individuals and become impressive and positive citizens. The class of 2022 are certainly a credit to our school community and beyond.”
Dan Carden, Labour MP for Liverpool Walton, added his own congratulations online. He said: “Congratulations to everyone in Liverpool Walton and beyond getting their results today.
"It has been a difficult few years and you should be proud of what you achieved. If you didn't get the results you hoped for, remember that there are many ways to reach your goals.”
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