Chester Catholic High School A-level results

Aug 20 2009 By Chester Chronicle

OXBRIDGE success stories led the way at Catholic High School where nine students scored straight As.

Students and staff are celebrating a spectacular year for A level results as three students head for Oxford and Cambridge.

Christopher Stokes (Oxford, Mathematics), Florence Barnes (Physics, Oxford) and Megan Smith (Cambridge, English) were joined by Alice Challoner (Leeds, French and Theology), James Chapman and Shane Hunt (both Manchester, Physics), Gabriella McNamee (Sheffield, English Literature), Sophie Williams (Leeds, Criminal Justice) and Rebecca Wright (Bristol, Law) in securing the top grades as they move on to higher education.

Overall the school pass rate was very high at 96% of the 72 pupils' entries, with 51% of grades at A and B (77% at A-C).

As well as success for individual students, subject teachers were delighted to see superb results in subjects such as French and Geography where all students secured A or B grades, and Theology which saw 18 of the 40 students achieving A or B grades, and all of the students passing the A level.

John Murray, headteacher, said: "These results are a testament to the very hard work put in by our students and their teachers. We are also very fortunate to have the most supportive parents and governors possible.

"We know there is tremendous competition for university places this year.

"Our students take courses which include high value subjects like French, Physics, Mathematics and Theology. More than that, they are now going on to university to study these subjects."

Kathy Fitzgerald, head of Sixth Form added: "We are so proud of our students at every level. There are so many who are going on now to their university courses, and that is a tribute to their hard work and talent, and also to the quality of advice and guidance they have had from their tutors in making their applications."

In October 2008 the school opened the new Emmaus Building, a purpose-built Sixth Form and Performing Arts centre. Mrs Fitzgerald is certain that the new facility will only add to the school’s record of success at this level.

"We have always had first-class teaching in our Sixth Form, now we also have first-class facilities to go with this."