St Joseph’s College is celebrating the efforts and hard work of Year 11 students on GCSE results day with 30% of entries gaining grades 9-8, 49% 9-7 and 89% of entries achieving grades 9-5.
Our Year 10 students who sit their GCSE Religious Education a year early also did exceptionally well with 75% of them achieving a Grade 9-6.
In Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Computer Science, History, Latin, Maths and Further Maths 60% or more of pupils attained grades 9 – 7 and in Music, 90% scored 9-7 – this is a wonderful achievement for Mrs Kesel our retiring Head of Music and Director of the Arts after 43 years of dedicated service to the College.
Head Laura Stotesbury said: “Our students should be extremely proud of their achievements today, which are testament to all the hard work that they have put in over the past two years alongside considerable contribution to our co-curriculum in Music, Drama, Sport, Model United Nations and STEM. I look forward to welcoming them back to St Joseph’s Sixth Form next month as they begin their A Level studies.
Our strong pastoral care and knowledge of each individual pupil means that we have been able to tailor support for each child – some who have faced significant personal challenge over the course of the past two years. I would like to thank our impressive staff for their hard work to keep our young people at the centre of all that we do. At St Joseph’s College we all aim to we provide the best possible education for our all our pupils and the best value for money for our parents.”
Freya
Freya
Freya is delighted with her GCSE results and proud of how far she has come since joining St Joseph’s in Year 10 – a move she describes as “the best decision” for building her confidence and enabling her success. She will continue her studies in the Sixth Form, taking History, Maths, and Philosophy & Ethics, and is excited to focus on the subjects she enjoys most. Freya hopes to study PPE at university and pursue a career in Law, with ambitions of becoming a Barrister. Beyond her academic achievements, she has flourished in co-curricular activities, particularly public speaking and Model United Nations, where her team won earlier this year. This summer, she will also represent St Joseph’s at the European Youth Parliament in Liverpool. Freya is now looking forward to the independence of Sixth Form, new friendships and more opportunities to grow in confidence – though first she plans to celebrate her success with family, starting with a well-earned McDonald’s breakfast!
Cooper
Cooper
Cooper is really pleased with his GCSE results and excited to begin Sixth Form, where he will study Maths, Further Maths, Physics and Computer Science. Having been at St Joseph’s since the age of three, he credits the school’s strong teaching, supportive staff and wide range of opportunities for helping him to achieve so well. Looking ahead, Cooper hopes to attend university, with Oxbridge as his dream destination, and is considering studying either Maths or Medicine. He is especially looking forward to focusing on the subjects he enjoys most and pushing himself further academically. Alongside his studies, Cooper has thrown himself into school life, performing in productions, singing in the choir and taking part in Model United Nations. To celebrate his results, he plans to head into town with friends this afternoon before enjoying a well-earned holiday at the weekend.
Rio
Rio
Rio was “pretty shocked” by his excellent GCSE results, admitting he felt nervous on the way to school and even lost sleep the night before. He credits his success to the confidence his teachers gave him to ask questions – something he believes really helped him to achieve. In Sixth Form, Rio will study English Literature, History and Biology, while keeping an open mind about the future, with Law as a possible path. He is especially looking forward to meeting new students, building on relationships with his teachers and enjoying life without school uniform – joking it will feel “like prom every day.” Since joining St Joseph’s in Year 7, Rio has embraced school life through football, basketball, rugby and STEM Club. To celebrate, he’s heading into town with friends for free food before marking the occasion with family.
Carlie
Carlie
Carlie is feeling pleased about her GCSE results and is looking forward to studying Maths, Chemistry, Biology and Economics with an EPQ. She is hoping to do Medicine or Psychology at uni. She has particularly appreciated all the Music opportunities offered by the Head of Music, Mrs Kesel, including participating in concerts, accompanying singers, being a member of the choir and playing the piano at open events. One of her most memorable moments was performing her Year 11 composition during Leavers’ Mass. She is grateful for the supportive teachers here who have allowed her to work independently, while checking regularly on her progress.
Valens
Valens
Valens is very happy with his GCSE results, admitting he felt stressed the day before but is now delighted with the outcome. Since joining St Joseph’s in Year 9 after moving from Hong Kong, he has flourished – particularly in Music, where he credits Mrs Kesel for nurturing his passion. In Sixth Form, Valens will study Philosophy & Ethics, English and Music, and he hopes to continue this path at university, possibly studying Theology or Music. A talented singer, some of his best memories at St Joseph’s have come from choir tours, including this year’s trip to Florence. Valens is also excited about the opportunity to contribute as a Prefect, especially in Music and the Arts, giving back to the school community that has supported him. To celebrate his results, he is looking forward to a special evening with his parents.
Ed
Ed
Ed is ‘ecstatic and relieved and excited for Sixth Form’. He says he exceeded his own expectations, especially in English Literature. Ed is hoping to study Music, Maths or Sociology, and English Literature, with an EPQ. He is looking forward to more independent study and specialising in his areas of real interest. Ed joined in Year 7 and has overcome challenges along the way. He says St Joseph’s is a small and caring community of people who were really invested in his learning and went the extra mile to support him to achieve these results. He credits the staff who worked closely with him for understanding him as a person.
Becki
Becki
Becki is really happy with her results as she did better than she expected. She is looking forward to continuing her love of History in Sixth Form, along with A Levels in Philosophy & Ethics and Maths, and an EPQ on a History topic. She hopes to go on to uni to read History. She is looking forward to being able to focus on her favourite subjects in Sixth Form, having more freedom and continuing to support backstage at College productions. She is grateful for the support she received which she believes helped her achieve her grades and is off to celebrate over a free lunch with friends!
Anant
Anant
Anant is feeling ‘a bit overwhelmed but proud’ today. He is hoping to take Maths, Further Maths, Physics and Classics in Sixth Form. After A Levels he may take a gap year to get international work experience or go to uni to read Physics or Maths. He is looking forward to more independence and the fun community in Sixth Form, surrounded by friends and supportive teachers. He joined in Year 10 and is grateful for the encouragement he was given and for his growing confidence. For co-curricular he really enjoyed taking part in the Senior Production of ‘Footloose’, Chess Club, Lit Club and Café Seminars.
Salena
Salena
Salena is really happy as she has performed much better in some subjects than she expected. She is looking forward to studying Maths, Psychology and Music next year and maybe taking a gap year after A Levels to gain work experience before going to uni to study Music Psychology. She is looking forward to having only three subjects to focus on and more freedom in terms of her schedule in Sixth Form. Salena has already set her sights on taking on a leadership role in Sixth Form and hopes to be our next Music prefect!
