Blue Coat head salutes hard work and commitment on GCSE results day

Reporter: Simon Smedley
Date published: 22 August 2019


Blue Coat School pupils and staff enjoyed another year of fabulous GCSE results this morning.

This year the school saw an increase in the number of grades awarded Grade 9-7 (old A*/A) and once again over 80-per-cent of all students have achieved a grade 9-4 in English and Maths.

Blue Coat Head Teacher Rob Higgins said: “I’m incredibly proud of all the pupils, and I am delighted that they have achieved the outcomes that not only reflect their hard work, but also the hard work and commitment of the staff and the support of their parents and families.”

Between them all, Lucy Hindle, Jenifer Kelly, Sheila Mutua, Joshua Hartley, Labeebah Khawaja and Michael Ballantyne hoovered up an incredible 60 Grade 9s and Grade 8s.

Sheila secured nine grade 9s, and one Grade 8.

Sheila lives in Chadderton and has worked incredibly hard to achieve the results she has.

She also has a passion for drama and has been involved in numerous productions both inside and outside of school.

Sheila said: "My results were a lot better than I expected to be honest.

"I'd like to thank my form tutor Mr Briggs. He's always been there for me and been very supportive.

"He never interfered unnecessarily - it's just been nice to have him there when I've needed him."

Josh Hartley secured six grade 9s, two grade 8s, one Distinction*, one grade 7 and one grade 6.

Josh, from Dukinfield, aspires to study and pursue a career in the science or mathematics field.

As well as studying incredibly hard for his GCSEs, Josh has been a member of the Manchester Giants basketball team for the past five years. 

This has provided him with the opportunity to play all over the country and also in Barcelona. 

Jack Ratcliffe secured a grade 9, three grade 8s, four grade 7s and two grade 5s.

From Royton, Jack has been offered a five-year apprenticeship with British Aerospace in Salmesbury, Lancashire.

This guarantees him a job at the end with BAE systems.

This summer, Jack is participating in the 2019 Word Scout Jamboree to be held in West Virginia.

He has spent the last two years raising money to pay for this expedition.

Head Mr Higgins added: “All the result outcomes are down to the students, our staff and the families, they all work incredibly hard and support each other.

“There's no doubt the exams are becoming more challenging, but as long as everybody works together towards the same outcomes, these kind of results can be achieved.

“That's why I'm so proud of them today.

“Across the board there's been some phenomenal sets of results. I'm really delighted for all the students across the whole year group.”

Most of the students will be staying on to study at Blue Coat's sixth form.

“I'm not letting the children leave the building before they enrol,” added Mr Higgins.


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