DACA Students Celebrate GCSE Results
Students at Darwen Aldridge Community Academy were celebrating achieving top Grades 7-9 in this year’s GCSE examinations. Of all Grades, 21 were at Grade 9s, 59 Grade 8s and 100 Grade 7s. This represents a significant increase in top Grades from last year and the academy has improved across all headline measures. Overall 68% of students achieved Grades 9-4 in maths and 66 % in English. Nearly half of passes in both subjects were Graded as “strong” (Grade 5) passes.
There were some exceptional individual student performances.
Charlotte Colin, who is currently in Iceland as part of the Aldridge / British Explorers expedition, achieved Grade 9s in English literature, maths and geography, Grade 8s in biology, chemistry, English language, physics and Spanish.
Emily Bolton achieved Grade 9s in chemistry and French and Grade 8s in Biology, maths and physics and Grade 7s in geography, English language and English literature and Religious Studies.
Emily said: “I am really overwhelmed! I am studying Biology, chemistry and maths in the sixth form at DACA.”
Alix Addison achieved Grade 8s in English Literature, and History and Grade 7s in biology, Chemistry, Computer science, English language, maths and Spanish.
Daniel Horton, who is also currently in Iceland with the Aldridge / British Explorers expedition, achieved a Grade 9 in English Literature, Grade 8s in maths and computing, Grade 7s in biology, chemistry, history and English language.
Head Girl Hollie Knowles, who started her own business when she was in Year 9, achieved Grade 9s in History and Religious Studies, Grade 8s in maths, physics and English language, and Grade 7s in biology, chemistry and English literature.
Hollie said: “I feel so relieved. Everyone has been so kind and helped me cope with GCSEs- I am so happy!”
Katie Parker Grade 8s in chemistry, history, religious studies and maths, Grade 7s in biology, English language, English literature and physics. She said: “I am really pleased with my maths! I am staying here at DACA to do maths, biology and chemistry.”
Brandon Parkinson achieved a Grade 9 in maths, Grade 8s in chemistry, computer science, English literature and physics and a Grade 7 in English language.
Zoe Porter achieved Grade 9s in Art, English language, Grade 8s in English literature, Spanish and history and Grade 7 in maths. Zoe’s reaction to her results was “Wow! I’m shaking. I feel a weight has been lifted. I am staying at DACA and I want to study architecture.”
Josh James, who was Head Boy, achieved a Grade 9 in Performing Arts, Grade 8s in Spanish, English language, and history and a Grade 7 in English literature. Josh said: “I will be staying on at DACA to study biology and chemistry. I am really pleased with my results.”
A happy George Ardis said: “I did much better than I thought! I would like to thanks all of the teachers for their support - I am overjoyed!” and Emily Greenwood Campbell reflected:
“I studied hard. I am staying on in to the sixth form to study A levels. I feel amazing!”
Principal Lisa Dolan said: “We are very proud of what our students have achieved this year and that as an Academy we have improved upon our results from last year in all measures. Staff and students have worked hard. It is important to recognise that our students have developed not only academically, but they have also made huge contributions to our school community. Sixth form sign ups have started today and are already proving really popular. We look forward to welcoming our successful GCSE students continuing their studies with us and being equally successful in two years’ time.