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Going from strength to strength

28/ 8/2008

ECSTATIC is one word Teresa Dervin used to describe her feelings following her school’s outstanding GCSE results

Mrs Dervin, headteacher at Our Lady's RC Sports College could not contain her delight as the school increased its overall pass rate by 20 per cent. An impressive 99 per cent of pupils left with a formal GCSE grade.

Our Lady’s, on Alworth Road, also enjoyed record numbers of pupils achieving five A* to C grades, with the percentage soaring to 65per cent, which is a feat never achieved by the school before.

This year’s results have exceeded all expectations and Mrs Dervin said: "I am very proud of both the staff and students who have all worked so hard to achieve this level of success.

"I am just ecstatic and we are now building a reputation that is beginning to spread as well as producing well rounded individuals who we encouraged to reach their potential."

She added: "GCSEs are not getting easier, we are just adapting what we offer to the pupils and the staff areworking hard in different ways to help the pupils to succeed."

The school offers a variety of qualifications besides GCSEs including a BTEC National Diploma in online media, key skills and modern apprenticeship.

Robert Ennis was encouraged by his teachers to take on the BTEC qualification alongside his GCSEs. He scored a B grade, and with his other high GCSE scores, this now sets him well on the way to achieving his goal of becoming a solicitor.

"The teachers were extra encouraging and are good people and now I plan to go to Holy Cross Sixth Form in Bury to study law," he said.

Hard-working Bethany Walsh is a year 10 pupil who managed to gain three GCSE A*s a year early in English, science and RE.

"I am really pleased with the results, I can't believe it. I am good at art and have had my work displayed in a gallery in London and I hope to become a tattoo artist."

The school believes its latest success is built upon its strong spirit and the way it values each of the young people in the community.

Governor Dr John Haughton said: "I have seen the school go from strength to strength and I believe the planned February 20009 move to the new school building will add further impetus to the self esteem and success of Our Lady’s students."