Success in threes at Royton and Crompton

GCSE RESULTS 2009

THREE high-fliers from Royton and Crompton are celebrating after achieving top GCSE results.

Rachel Bramah bagged nine A*s and five As, as well as an A* in short course citizenship (equivalent to half a GCSE) and an A in short course religious studies.

Rachel (16), from Cornish Way, said: “I’m really pleased with my results, particularly English, where I gained an A* and was expecting a B.

“I’m going to study chemistry, biology and maths at Oldham Sixth-Form College and might do English literature now as well.”

Morgan Gibson was ecstatic when he found that he had gained nine A*s and five As. The 16-year-old, from Shaw Road, is now bound for Oldham Sixth-Form College to study for A levels in maths, further maths, physics and music.

Edward Courtnell, from Crompton Street, was delighted with his 8.5 A*s, four As and half a B.

He said: “I was gobsmacked. I hoped I would get good results because I studied hard, but I didn’t expect them to be as good as what I got.” Edward is heading to Oldham Sixth-Form College where he will study maths, physics, chemistry and geology, with a career in civil engineering in the pipeline.

Another student with good reason to smile was sporting star Conor McConkie (16).

Conor was expecting to gain 10 Cs, but exceeded expectations by achieving three As, two Bs and five Cs

Conor, of Dalehead Drive in Shaw, represented Royton and Crompton in cross-country running and juggled his revision with running twice a week, as well as twice-weekly and weekend football sessions with the Failsworth Rangers and the Medlock Rangers.

He said: “There was lot to do, but I just tried to stay relaxed, do everything I was told to in class and make sure I revised.

“I’m very pleased with the results. I’ve always tried to do better than I think I can, because if you don’t take that attitude, then you’ll never improve”

Head teacher Desmond Herlihy said: “Conor is great example of someone who really bought into what we are trying to do here. He got these results through hard graft and sheer determination and made the most of his ability.”

Their achievements crowned a great year for Royton and Crompton, which saw 48 per cent of the year group achieve 5A* to C grades including English and Maths, with 71 per cent of pupils achieving 5A* to C.

Mr Herlihy said: “These figures represent performances which are well above expectations.

“We have been producing results of this standard consistently. There have been some outstanding individual performances. Congratulations to all our pupils and staff and thanks to the parents and governors for their support.”




Record year for Grange

DAWN MARSDEN



IT’S another record year at Grange School with pupils achieving the best results ever.



Twenty-nine per cent gained at least five A*-C grades, including English and maths, while 81 per cent gained A*-C grades in all subjects.

Ninety three per cent achieved at least one A*-C while 97 per cent gained at least one A*-G.

Gilly McMullen , the head teacher, said: “The GCSE results are the best ever results in the history of Grange School.

“I am very proud of all the staff and pupils who have worked extremely hard to achieve these results in my first year as head teacher at Grange School.

“We are hopeful that we will be above the floor target of 30 per cent with out five A*-C including English and maths once the school has gone through the appeals process for English and maths students.”

Year 10 pupil Oliur Rahman has special cause for celebration after achieving a grade A in AS level maths.

Mrs McMullen said: “I am very proud of Oliur’s result at such a young age. He has worked hard to achieve this result and I am sure he will go on to achieve even greater.

“This is the best maths result ever by a Grange School pupil.

“We are now personalising our curriculum so that pupils work to their strengths and achieve their potential at an early stage if possible.”

Nine pupils in Year 11 also won qualifications in AS Level fine art — these included an A, two Bs, five Cs and a D.

MORE GCSE RESULTS STORIES: see next item