MANY of Barnsley’s youngsters opened their exam envelopes for the first time on Thursday - and schools across the borough have achieved some of their ‘best-ever results’.
Kirk Balk Academy saw one student achieving all nines - the highest possible grade - which placed her amongst the best in the country.
Principal of the school Dean Buckley said: “It has once again been a phenomenal year for our students here at Northern Education Trust Kirk Balk Academy.
“We are immensely proud of all the work and achievements of our students, especially after such a difficult and disrupted year.
“Despite all the challenges that students face each year, our teachers have worked tirelessly to ensure that students are all able to progress onto further education and study, and we look forward to seeing what they will achieve in the future.”
Students and staff at Stocksbridge High School celebrated their best every GCSE results.
Since examinations were taken in 2019, the proportion of kids achieving good grades has increased by more than ten per cent.
Headteacher Andy Ireland said: “Our students should be very proud of their incredible achievement. “Despite the disruption and challenges caused by the pandemic, these young people have demonstrated huge degrees of resilience, determination and effort which have all paid off with great outcomes. My very best wishes go to them in their next steps in life.
“I would also like to thank all the staff at the school for their amazing hard work and dedication in supporting all of our students through the pandemic to achieving these brilliant results.”
Penistone Grammar School continued their legacy as students also achieved the best results in the institution’s history.
Results are expected to drop after a return to formal exams, but students at Penistone have bucked that trend.
More than 90 per cent of students secured a grade four or higher in both English and maths.
Particular recognition has been shown to Lucy Broadhead and Jack Shewring who both achieved ten of the top grades.
Ewan Mackie, 16, told the Chronicle: “I’m happy with it, I got two eights, one seven and the rest nines so it was better than I was expecting.
“I’m doing maths, further maths, physics and chemistry next year.
“I’m hoping to do maths at university and then hopefully into a branch of engineering.”
Martha Bettison, 16, who received seven nines, one eight and two sevens, said: “I’m very happy with my results.
“I’m going to college to study chemistry, biology and maths.
“I want to go onto study food science and go into a career with that.”
Paul Crook, principal at the school, added: “The atmosphere in school has been fantastic, and as principal it has been a pleasure to celebrate with our students and their families.
“This is also an exciting time for our Post-16 Centre, and today we have seen record numbers of young people enrolling on courses for next year.
“I am incredibly proud of our students and all that our school continues to achieve.”
The government schools minister Will Quince has praised students at Netherwood Academy in Darfield on their results.
Many students surpassed their expectations, including Keeley Gilliot who received four nines, five eights and one seven and Irin Tasnuva who achieved four nines, two eights and three sevens.
Principal Jonny Mitchell of Netherwood Academy, part of Astrea Academy Trust, said: “As Principal, I am immensely proud of the achievements of our Year 11 students, who have battled with turbulence and uncertainty over the past couple of years; the staff have worked really hard to ensure every student has had the best chance of success, and we are so pleased that so many of them will be able to onto their chosen pathway post-16.”
