GCSE Results Day 2024: Newark Academy, run by The Nova Education Trust, celebrates high grades with one student become first to achieve grade 9 in all of her subjects
Students at Newark Academy have surprised themselves after securing a host of top GCSE results — with one individual even achieving a school first.
After five years of secondary school education, there were plenty of smiles as the young students breathed a sigh of relief and celebrated before taking their next steps into sixth form or college.
The Nova Education Trust which runs Newark Academy has not released pass rates, but school leaders said high results reflected the school’s motto of “Work hard - Be kind.”
Emma Taylor made history as the first Newark Academy student to ever achieve 9s across the board in all her subjects.
She said: “I’m really happy because I worked really hard.
“I was looking at some of the grade boundaries and wondering if I’d done enough, so I didn’t expect this.”
Her mum Phillippa was there to celebrate with her and said: “I’m so proud of her, she deserves everything because she put in so much effort.
“She’s very intelligent and works hard, but backs it up with her natural ability too.”
Twins Fin and Jay Charles opened their GCSE results together, and with multiple 8s, 7s, and 6s each they said their success was down to the support they had received
Fin said: “Our mum really pushed us to do well and the teachers here too have been really good.
Jay added: “I think one of the most helpful was Miss Peña, she went above and beyond to help out.
“As soon as she came in she helped me so much, we did after school interventions and was a big part in me getting the grades.”
Ava Clark-Leek has aspirations of becoming a sports physiotherapist after securing three 8s, two 7s, four 6s and a Distinction * in her GCSEs.
She said: “I’m most proud of my Spanish grade because I failed the speaking exam in year 10 and started coming in outside of school — so I’m really happy I did so well.
“My friend’s family was really helpful, giving me lifts at 7am to come in for interventions and improve my grade.”
Ava’s mum, Gemma, said: “I’m really proud because some kids don’t want to do the work, but she just got on with it and worked hard.”
Another high achiever was Jace Walker, who secured eight 9s, two 8s and a 7, and plans to continue his love of science by staying at Newark Academy for sixth form.
“The work really started after Christmas, revising daily and putting in the effort.
“I’m surprised I did so well in my English because it was always my most difficult subject, but I spent the most time on it and it paid off.”
He picked up his results alongside his mum, who said she wasn’t surprised Jace had done so well as he had always been clever from a young age.
School head Inma Peña, said: "We are really proud of our students and the well-deserved results they collected today.
“This is an exciting time for our young people as they make important choices for their futures and I would like to wish them every success in all their future endeavours.
“We are, of course, delighted that many will stay with us to continue their studies in our growing sixth form and will continue to model excellence for our younger students"
She added: "I would like to thank all staff, parents, carers and Governors who have supported students throughout their time at school.
“They work tirelessly to provide the best possible guidance and experiences for our pupils, and I would like to say a sincere thank you to all of them for their efforts."
Christine Wright, who is taking over as Governors chairman in the upcoming school year, said: “It’s great to see the whole school community come together
“These excellent results reflect our school motto of “Work hard - Be kind.”
