The sky’s no limit for Chester Catholic High School’s very own ‘junior astronaut’ Hannah Carter whose stellar performance saw her gain three A* grades in today’s A-level results.

Hannah was one of three students from the Handbridge-based school who took part in the International Space School Educational Trust summer school in London before starting her A-levels, working with NASA astronauts and mission controllers. She is now going to study mechanical and materials engineering at the University of Liverpool.

Two other students also posted three straight A* grades. Both Kathleen Devine and Rebecca Vickers will be reading history at university, with Kathleen going to Queen Mary’s College, London and Rebecca heading north to Durham.

Retiring head of sixth form, Kathy Fitzgerald, declared this to be a vintage year with more than 90 A-level students celebrating on results day.

She said: “This is one of our largest upper sixth groups and they have proven what great students they are, as well as being great young people. They have such big hearts, and I know they will go on to make a real difference wherever they go next. They have given me a great send off from school and now I’m proud to be sending them off in turn.”

Among the other top achieving students were:

Matthew Chesters – A, A, A – who will study English literature at Durham or York; Sammy Finneran-Lerner; – A*, A, B – who will read mathematics at either Leeds or Nottingham; Sam Latham – A, A, B – who is heading to either Bath or Warwick to study French and Spanish.

Marie-Therese Letissier – A*, A, B – will read geography at Liverpool; Gabby Maxfield – A, A, B – will read biomedical sciences at Lancaster; Danielle Pearman – A, A, B – will read psychology at Liverpool; Mary Richards – A*, A, A – will study pharmacy at Cardiff; Isaac Scott – A*, A*, A – is taking physics with theoretical physics at Imperial College, London and Amy Sinclair – A*, A*, A – will study medicine at Leeds.

This year has seen significant changes to A-levels, in particular with the abolition of January examinations as a step towards ‘terminal’ examinations for all A-level courses.

Headteacher John Murray said: “The students have dealt very well with whatever has been put in their way. Governments happily make decisions part way through students’ courses without really taking into account the effect it has on the young people. Our students can feel very proud that they have achieved so well despite the goalposts moving.”

Overall, the A level pass rate this year at the school was more than 98%, with just short of 40% of grades at A*, A or B. Chair of governors, and proud parent, Peter Devine, whose daughter Kathleen posted straight A* results, said: “The effort put in by the students, their teachers, and indeed the support from parents, has been exceptional. I congratulate the students and the school on this year’s success.”

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