Students celebrate GCSE results in North Tyneside

Young people in North Tyneside are taking the next steps into their future today after receiving their GCSE results.

Schools across the borough issued results to pupils this morning (25 August) after holding exams for the first time in two years.

Despite a turbulent few years of education where pupils had to adapt to online learning, home schooling and restrictions in classrooms, these students have achieved brilliant results.

Pupils at John Spence Community High School headed back to school this morning to receive their results, and many were overjoyed to have secured the grades they needed to move onto college, sixth form and apprenticeships.

One student, Sam Anderson, explained her relief at finally having her results: “In my mocks I got lower results, but the school put on loads of revision sessions and mock exams in the hope that we’d get higher results in actual exams and those were really helpful. I’m really happy I got the grades I need for my A-Levels.”

Jack explained how his education had been affected by covid restrictions: “Our education was heavily impacted, and it was a hard time, but the school did well accommodate it and the exams were more stress free than I expected.

“I’m feeling relieved and happy to finally open my results today and get it over with and I’m going on to do my A-Levels in politics, business and economics so I can’t wait.”

Whitley Bay High School students are also celebrating after receiving some of the highest results the school has achieved with 90% of students grades being between 9 and 4.

Norma Redfearn CBE, Elected Mayor of North Tyneside, has congratulated the pupils: “I am extremely proud of each and every student who has collected their GCSE results today. Their education has been anything but normal over the past few years, but they’ve shown a true resilience and continued to learn, grow, and develop new skills and it’s brilliant to see so many enjoying the rewards of their hard work this morning.

“From head teachers and their staff to the students and their parents and carers, it’s clear that everyone has been committed to ensuring this cohort had the best possible education despite everything they faced and I’m sure they will all be delighted today.”

Cllr Steven Phillips, Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Learning, said: “These results are yet another achievement that the young people of North Tyneside can be proud of. There’s no doubt that these pupils have faced many hurdles and for the first time in two year’s they have sat exams so it’s great to see lots of happy faces as they celebrate their hard work today. I’d like to wish them every success for the future.”

Jacqui Old, Director of Children and Adults Services, said: “North Tyneside is a brilliant place for education and today’s success stories are testament to this. I’d like to congratulate everyone involved in this year’s GCSE’s and I look forward to seeing what this brilliant year of students do next, whether that is through further education, an apprenticeship or other job opportunities.”

For those young people who would like support, North Tyneside Council’s Connexions team is on hand to help. Connexions advisers are available to support young people receiving GCSE results this week. Advisers will be attending those schools that are opening for exam results and additional advisers will be available to contact by telephone and email for young people whose schools are emailing results. Advisers will also continue to provide support to young people following results days. The Connexions Team can be contacted via www.skillsnorthtyneside.org.uk