A perfect start for new Hathershaw Principal Mark

Reporter: Simon Smedley
Date published: 22 August 2019


Newly-appointed Hathershaw College Principal Mark Giles has hit the ground running following an excellent GCSE results day.

Mr Giles officially succeeds the now-retired David McEntee at the beginning of the new term, though he has worked at Hathershaw for the past 13 years.

He welcomed a hugely positive 2019 outcome for students and staff, amid 'challenging' new examination standards.

“I'm really excited and really pleased that all the hard work the students have put in, and the teachers, over the past year has paid off,” said Mr Giles.

“I'm delighted with the number of students who have scored high grades, particularly the nine grades, which is the old A*, and the eight grades.

“The positive outcome for our students is that the majority are going to be able to progress to their first choice college place, with the vast majority heading up to our sister Oldham Sixth Form College.

“These results definitely get me off to a flying start.

“The progress our children have made is really good, and we know now what our priorities are for the future.

“These are a really positive set of results for Hathershaw and I'm looking forward to standing in front of everyone on September 2nd and congratulating them on all of their hard work.”

There were a number of outstanding individual efforts from Hathershaw pupils, including from Sanah Khan, who secured four grade 9 results, two grade 8s and two grade 7s.

She also secured a BTEC distinction.

Sehar Munir secured three grade 9 results and four grade 8s, while also receiving a BTEC merit award.

Sanah, Sehar, Head Boy Abbas Uddin and Head Girl Aimee McGee all qualified significantly above national expectations.

Deaf child Joshua Wild, meanwhile, made excellent progress, largely thanks to hearing impairment facilities and studies available at Hathershaw.

Joshua passed all his GCSEs after putting in plenty of sterling work over the past five years.

His dad John said: “I'm absolutely proud as punch.

“Joshua has had to put an exceptional amount of work in.

“Because of his deafness, obviously in a classroom situation he has to listen more intensely than anyone else.

“Therefore, to achieve what he has done is absolutely fantastic.

“Joshua will do whatever he wants to do now, and whatever direction he takes, we'll be supporting him 100-per-cent.


Do you have a story for us? Want to tell us about something going on in and around Oldham? Let us know by emailing news@oldham-chronicle.co.uk , calling our Oldham-based newsroom on 0161 633 2121 , tweeting us @oldhamchronicle or messaging us through our Facebook page. All contact will be treated in confidence.