Coventry students celebrate record GCSE results

Winifred Otubo who achieved ten 9s, celebrates with her mother Patience Otubo

Source: PLMR

Pupils at Cardinal Wiseman Catholic School in Coventry are celebrating record GCSE results with some travelling to school to mark the occasion - while others received their grades via a new government app.

Cardinal Wiseman Catholic School, part of the Romero Catholic Academy, opened its doors to pupils, despite having the option to receive their results via a smartphone alert, to offer a space to celebrate with their friends and access guidance around next steps.

The school on Potters Green Road recorded its best results since moving to the 1-9 grading system in 2020.

Laura Burtonwood, Interim Principal, said it was important to offer opportunities for pupils to mark the occasion together and speak to teachers and their classmates, but that the app trial - which took place across the West Midlands and Greater Manchester - had been a success.

Winifred Otubo, who achieved ten 9s, said: "I feel ecstatic, because I knew I worked hard, and I feel like at some point after the exams you start to question everything. I'm really happy I met the expectations for sixth form, and just happy to see that hard work pay off because it's very encouraging going into A-Levels especially.

"I want to go on to study medicine at university - fingers crossed. It's an incredible experience getting your results in person compared to digitally - and being able to look at the people who have helped you all these years in the eye and hopefully making them proud."

Lily Matthews, who achieved five eights and one nine, said: "I'm feeling great. I wasn't too worried but I'm still surprised at the results - I feel really proud. It was difficult in terms of lots of hard work and preparation, but it paid off and I'm really excited for the future."

Jayden Akonnor-Fianko, who achieved five 8s, one 7 one 9 and two 6s, said: "I was nervous at first, but I didn't need to be. I feel great, I was nervous about English but I got the results and I'm really happy. It's been fun and I'm going to miss school now I'm leaving, especially seeing my friends, but I'm excited for the next step."

Lola Brooks, who achieved four 4s and three 3s, said: "I was hoping to pass English and maths but everything else is a bonus. I was really nervous but I feel ecstatic now - I can focus on my apprenticeship and my career. I wanted to come in and see my friends and thank the teachers. It feels like a good way to complete everything."

Karolina Kotowska, who achieved one 6, one 7, three 8s, five 9s, said: "I'm really relieved, I was stressed and unsure but now I feel great. I didn't know what I was going to get and whether I would get into my options for sixth form, but I have and I'm really excited. I'm ready to start in September.

"We did a lot of mocks, which helped for the real thing and made it less stressful. I want to go into art psychotherapy and I'm going to be working on that as well as studying."

Ana-Maria Crasovean, who achieved one 6, two 7s, three 8s, three 9s, said: "At first I was really nervous, my hands were shaking, I did so much revision, but I had a feeling I wasn't going to do as well as I hoped. But I was really taken aback. It has been stressful, there were so many exams, but I tried to stay calm on the morning of each exam and it paid off.

"I've been really excited to see my friends and it's really nice to know we'll be spending two more years together at sixth form."

Valentino Uzoegwu, who achieved one 7, six 8s, two 9s, said: "On the way here I was stressing. I'm not sure why, but I felt like I made some mistakes on exam day. I was a bit worried after the exams, especially after Geography but now I feel great.

"The school helped a lot, and I think the interventions helped me get these grades. You didn't feel as stressed because of the mocks, they really helped. It was a great year. I wanted to carry on here because I'm used to the environment, and I want to go into engineering in future.

"It feels good after all the work to open up the paper to see this - it's hard to explain the feeling but it's amazing,"

Jacob Mandaba, who achieved two 6s, one 7, four 8s, two 9s, said: "The exam period was quite nervous, but I remained optimistic, that's how I got through. I'm really happy with my history result - I focused on that the most and it paid off. I like the teachers, they're nice and you can have a conversation with them but they also help you a lot."

"I chose to come in because I wanted to see the teachers, and I want to thank them for being with me throughout this."

Laura Burtonwood, Interim Principal at Cardinal Wiseman Catholic School, said: "This has been an exciting year with the introduction of the results app alongside the traditional collection - it made for a great atmosphere on the morning but provided flexibility. However they received their grades, our students should be very proud of their hard work and commitment.

"These results will open the door to new opportunities, whether that's in further study, apprenticeships or training, and we look forward to seeing what they go on to achieve next.

"I am also deeply grateful to our staff, parents and carers, whose support and encouragement have been vital in helping our pupils reach this milestone."