Year 13 students and staff at the Denmark Road High School are celebrating excellent results today.  Results at A*-B were up 10% to 70% for all entries.  Students bucked the national trend which saw a twelve-year low in A*-A grades awarded with a huge increase in the top grades:  nearly 40% of all entries were at either A or A*.  Just under sixty percent of students achieving at least one grade A.   Excellence at the very highest level was recognised with two students opening envelopes containing three straight challenging A* grades.   An amazing 16% of students achieved straight As; with three or more A Levels at Grade A.   Overall, achievement improved significantly from last year:  11% of all results were at A* and 89% of all qualifications were graded at A*-C; and 100% were A*-E.   

Rhian Pembridge, achieved 2A* grades in Biology and History and an A grade in Chemistry.  She is looking forward to studying Medicine at Nottingham University.  “I’ve been awake since 3:30am.  I can’t believe it but I am so happy!”   Joe Meadows, a future financial markets whizz takes up an apprenticeship degree with St James Place financial services.  He exceeded even his own expectations to achieve A in Business and B grades in Politics and History.   Sarah Freeman overcame the challenges of her dyslexia to achieve ABB; “I thought I would drop out of school at one stage but these results really show what anyone can achieve with hard work and belief”.  Katie Forbes, head student, achieved four grade As and goes to Cardiff to study Planning and Development.  Millie Cripps achieved three A* grades.  “I couldn’t believe it.  I can’t believe it.  I really thought the exams hadn’t gone that well!  I just don’t understand it!”. Millie will be reading Geography at the University of Birmingham.  Nicola Daughtrey, who achieved A* A B, overcame the worst night’s sleep of her life.  “I’m still shaking!”    

Headteacher Claire Giblin said “To achieve the increases in results across the board has been absolutely fantastic.  We are proud that 70% of all entries are graded at those top levels of A*, A or B.  These results truly represent rich reward for our dedicated, hard-working students and all of the teaching and support staff who have done so much to help and encourage them. We will all be celebrating tonight!”  Once again Denmark Road Sixth Form students have secured places on a broad range of university courses and higher level apprenticeships, with many places secured at Russell Group universities including Oxbridge and in Medicine.  “They have been a fantastic year group and we are looking forward to hearing how they do as they embark on the next stage of their lives at university, apprenticeships or employment – best wishes to you all.”

Denmark Road Sixth Form moves to a dedicated Sixth Form Centre in September.  Headteacher Claire Giblin, said “This is an exciting time at the school as we continue to pursue excellence in everything we do.  We are thrilled to be moving into our new Sixth Form Centre this year.  We are so excited that we will finally be giving our sixth form students the facilities they deserve.”  The new accommodation will feature independent and group study spaces, expanded IT facilities, a sixth form library and an eagerly awaited café.  “It is an exciting time for the Sixth Form with results continuing their upward trajectory and the new Sixth Form Centre providing the very best facilities and opportunities to our senior students whilst continuing our proud tradition of producing outstanding results and well-rounded individuals, fully prepared to take on the next stage of their lives.” 

Director of Post-16 Hannah Leathart said “It has been a privilege to work with this year group, who have worked closely with staff and who have supported each other so well.  They have contributed hugely to the school and local community and will be missed.  They were a driven and focussed group of students and very much deserve their success.”