It was a day of shaky hands and success as students across Liverpool celebrated their exam results.
Young people from throughout the city gathered at schools and colleges to find out how their hard work had paid off over the past year. Amid returns to in-person teaching after the disruption of the coronavirus pandemic over the past few years, many were celebrating as they opened their envelopes in Liverpool this morning.
Among those celebrating were Ahmed Abdul Qader, 16, who scored four grade 9s in Maths, Biology, Chemistry and Physics at North Liverpool Academy. He said: “It feels really good, the hard work has really paid off.
“All the self work I’ve done really helped.” Ahmed, who is eyeing a career in medicine, is staying on to study A-levels at North Liverpool.
He’ll be joined by Esther Osayande Idahosa, who moved to the UK from Spain just two years ago when she was in year nine. Esther, who speaks Spanish and English, was delighted to have secured good grades.
The 16-year-old added: “I was really worried about how I’d do in English Language but I’m feeling really good.” She hopes to move into a dentistry role after continuing her studies.
Celebrations continued at St Francis of Assisi in Kensington, led by head girl Annaelle Mbolokele, who achieved 10 GCSEs including eight 9s and two 8s in maths and physics.
She is going to study biology, chemistry, mathematics, and psychology at A-level.
Annaelle said, “I am speechless at my results. I worked really hard, and I am so happy my hard work paid off. I really want to do something with STEM in the future and possibly a career in medicine.”
Henry O’Brien, Sean Baker Jervis and Ryan Ana Courva, (pictured, main image) all 16, toasted their success at Cardinal Heenan Catholic High School in West Derby. The three said they were pleased with how they’ve got on, moving to study things from accounting to “anything with maths.”
Henry said online learning was hard, with a readjustment back to the classroom proving difficult, while friend Ryan added how he thought maths was proving a lot now popular with boys compared to subjects like English in the past.
Results day proved to be a first time experience for Rab Martin, 18, at City of Liverpool College as she collected her marks for GCSEs, delayed by covid. Rab was sitting formal exams for the first time having previously been homeschooled.
She said: “It’s been a pretty difficult year and I was really anxious this morning but it was a huge relief when I saw my results. I’ve had to adapt and I’ve done all I can, I’m really pleased.”
Dinna Daniel, 18, hoped to become a horror film director after collecting her Level 2 media results on Thursday. Dinna, from Tuebrook, said: “I was scared when I was getting them but when I saw it I was like ‘what does this even mean?’
“It’s been a difficult time to study but I’m going on to study my Level 3.”
In South Liverpool, staff at St Mary’s Catholic College, Garston, also had cause for cheer. Headteacher, Kevin Maddocks, said: “I am proud of the resilience and determination our Year 11s have shown in their revision, the number diligently attending after school revision sessions and Saturday School has been remarkable.
“Our pupils are inspiring and talented young people, and we couldn’t be prouder of them. It’s been great to see them today and we can’t wait to work with them in St Mary’s Sixth Form College.”
And there were celebrations at the Blue Coat school as well, where nearly 80% of all exams sat secured a 7 or above, with half of all students celebrating at least three 9s in their results. Overall, the average grade when every single result is factored in is an 8.
Scilla Yates, Headteacher, said of the results, “I don’t know whose smiles are bigger, the students or the staff! Overall, our results are up on those achieved in 2019, which is the last comparable set of data. Given all that these students have been through, this is remarkable and our staff should also be acknowledged for the support and guidance they have shown every single young person.”
“I would like to applaud all of our students for their tenacity and focus. They are inspirational young people who should be celebrated not only for their achievements but also their manner and character. It has been a genuine pleasure to watch them thrive.”
Main image: Henry O’Brien, Sean Baker Jervis, and Ryan Ana Courva, of Cardinal Heenan Catholic High School in West Derby
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