THERE were tears of delight from students, parents and staff at Tytheringon School on A-level results day.
The school celebrated a 100 per cent pass rate and over 80 per cent of students achieving A* to C grades.
Leading the way with at least 3 A* grades were Michael Simmons and Harry Spearing.
Also achieving straight A and A* grades were Emma de Sousa, Jessica McGuinness, Alexander Smith, Robert Hughes, Lily Williams, Edward Laughton, Harry Shackleton, Lara Holtappel, Joseph Luckman and Mirren Stanley.
Several students managing not to drop a single mark in a number of their exams including: Joseph Luckman, Alexander Smith, Michael Simmons, Harry Spearing, Robert Hughes, Abbie Mountford, Jessica McGuinness, Sian Robinson, Harriet Jones and Emma de Sousa.
Many students gained places at Russell Group universities, in addition to Oxford, where Daisy Clarke will be reading Japanese studies at St Anne’s College.
Headteacher Stephen Jowett said: “I continue to be extremely pleased with the performance of students in our Sixth Form, both those who have been with us for seven years and those who join us in Year 12. Our focus on individual student achievement means so many students surpass their expectations. The fact that several of our A-level students had to pick up their results via email from Phnom Penh, having completed a four-week volunteer project building schools in Cambodia, is testament to the wider opportunities we offer here that serve to inspire our students to success.”
Emma de Sousa achieved an A* in maths and three As in further maths, physics and chemistry.
The 18-year-old, of Southwest Avenue in Bollington, only dropped two marks in her entire A2 maths examinations, getting a total of 298 out of 300. She said: “You always worry that you haven’t done as well as you hope so when I opened the results I was thrilled. I worked very hard and it feels good that it all paid off.”
Emma spent four weeks last summer working on scientific research at Liverpool John Moores University as part of the Nuffield Research Placements scheme, which provide students with the opportunity to work alongside professional scientists, technologists, engineers and mathematicians.
She added: “That really motivated me to work hard, I saw where good results can get you.”
Michael Simmons also spent time on a Nuffield placement. The 17-year-old, of Castle Hill in Prestbury, managed an amazing three A*s in his A levels, in maths, further maths and physics.
He now plans to study maths at Warwick University. He said: “I was sure my exams didn’t go as well as they could have but obviously they went OK. I’m so happy, I thought I just scraped through, I didn’t think I would get three A*s.
Another student whose results surpassed her expectations is Jessica McGuiness, 18. She struggled at GCSE but managed to bag an incredible two A*s - in sociology and psychology - and an A in history at A level. Her brother Matt, 20, is battling Cystic Fibrosis, and so is in and out of hospital. But Jess, of Round Meadow, Rainow, says he is right behind her. She said: “I can’t believe my results, I didn’t even expect to get into university. My GCSEs were not so good so to do so well is brilliant, I didn’t even want to come today this morning I was so nervous. Matt is in hospital at the minute but he has already text me asking how I did, he is always so supportive. In fact he is coming out later so we’re going out to celebrate.”
One student who had a difficult decision to make this morning was Harry Spearing. That’s because the 18-year-old had to decide whether to start university in September, or pursue his dream of becoming a rock star with his band Vedanna, who have just been offered a recording contract.
The group – who all attend Tytherington School – bagged the offer from label Longevity Records after coming out on top of its Battle of the Bands competition.
Drummer Harry, of Hollins Road, Macclesfield, said: “It has been tough because all of the group are so dedicated to the band. We were going to take a gap year and concentrate on our music, but now I think we have decided to go to uni and keep the band going as well. It will be hard as we’re all off to separate places but we are very focused on the group so we can do it.
Harry achieved three A*s in his A Levels in physics, maths and further maths and has been offered a place at Lancaster University studying physics.
He added: “I’m want to go into research and do a PhD and get my doctorate. If I had to choose between becoming a doctor and being a rock star I am not sure that I would be able to in all honesty. Maybe I can be both - Dr Rock Star.”
