GCSE Results 2019: King's Lynn Academy
It was an emotional day for many at King's Lynn Academy (KLA) this morning as pupils received their GCSE results, in particular for one student, Aidan Pearce.
Aidan, who has autism, dyspraxia and a learning disability, received the grades he needed – despite being told at primary school that he would "never sit an exam".
Aidan, 16, supported by his mum Debbie, dad Keith and brother Finlay, jumped for joy as he found out he would be going to Eastern College in Norwich to study Animal Care.
Among his grades were an M1 – the equivalent of a 6 – in Creative iMedia, and a 4 in Food Technology.
Debbie and Keith said: "We are over the moon, this school has been brilliant, we can't praise the school highly enough, because when he was at primary school they said he would never take an exam.
"They were looking at putting him at Churchill Park Academy, but we persevered and he's had so much help here."
Aidan said: "I'm very happy, if it wasn't for this school, I would not have the grades I need to move on to the next school.
"I highly recommend going here."
And principal Alan Fletcher said that the school's "recent improvement" has been continuing with their "strong" results.
A total of 51 per cent of students at KLA achieved 4 and above in English and Maths, which matched last year's results, and 30 per cent achieved 5 and above in English and Maths, which is slightly higher than last year's 28 per cent.
Principal Alan Fletcher said: "We are really proud of our class of 2019, who have worked so hard to achieve these strong results.
"KLA’s recent improvement continues, and the results show that last year’s big increase in outcomes for our students has been sustained."
Mr Fletcher said the results also showed an improvement of around a third of a grade on average across all subject areas.
He added: "I would like to congratulate our students on their results, and on their behalf thank our teachers for the huge amount of time they put into to supporting our young people, along with their parents.
"The partnership between pupils, parents and staff at KLA is especially strong, and I am incredibly grateful to everyone involved for their hard work."
It was a moment of relief for a number of pupils this morning, including Reuben Webster, after he opened his envelope.
He achieved two 8s in Maths and English Literature, a 7 in Chemistry, two 6s in Physics and History, two 5s in English Language and Biology and a 4 in Sociology.
"I was quite nervous at first, because I wasn't sure what I was going to get but I didn't realise I was going to get an A in Maths and English Literature."
He will be going to Springwood Sixth Form to study Maths, Economics and History.
His mum Nadia Eglen said: "I'm quite emotional to be fair, it's kind of a relief that it's all over and done with, which is really good, I'm really proud of him."
His girlfriend Rebekah Hustler will also be going to Springwood next month, where she will be studying Biology, Psychology and Health and Social Care.
She achieved a 7 in Maths, two 6s in Biology and Geography, as well as four 5s, one 4 and one 3.
"I'm happy with my grades," she said.
Her mum Kim Savage said: "I'm very proud of her, we had got a back-up plan and I had just explained to her that no matter what there would always be something she could do, but it might be a longer process.
"But she doesn't need that back-up plan now."
Laura Hornsby, one of the school's highest achievers, got two 9s in English Language and English Literature and will be going to Hills Road Sixth Form in Cambridge to study English Literature, Philosophy and Art.
She also achieved an 8 in Design and Technology, 7s in Art and Design: Fine Art, History, Biology and Physics, and 6s in Maths and Chemistry.
"I'm shocked. I looked at the boundaries and they were higher than I was expecting," she said.
"I'm quite happy, I wasn't expecting to get 9s. It was quite a shock really."
Her parents Alison and Tony said: "We're feeling absolutely fantastic – ecstatic. It means the world to her.
"She's always worked so hard and always kept focused.
"The school has been absolutely fantastic."
Another pupil who will be studying at Hills Road after completing his GCSEs is Charlie Long – the subjects he will be taking are Government and Politics, Maths and English Literature.
He said: "I'm a bit gutted about History, but a lot of people were complaining about History because the grade boundaries were quite high or people missed a question. I only got a 3.
"But I got mostly As and Bs, and I got a few Cs, apart from that I'm really happy with my results."
Toby Howard got 8s in Maths and English Language, a 7 in English Literature, a 6 in Biology, 5s in Geography, History and Physics, and a 4 in Chemistry.
He will go on to study Maths, Biology and Psychology at Springwood Sixth Form.
"I'm feeling very good, I was feeling nervous so it's a relief," he said.
Oliver Slater got a 5/4 in Combined Science, 5s in English Language and English Literature, a 4 in Physical Education, 3s in Art and Design: Fine Art and Geography and a 2 in Sociology.
He will be going to the College of West Anglia on the Uniformed Services course.
To find out how other schools in our area have done today, click here.
