Upward results trend continues

Significant improvements in results for a second consecutive year were celebrated at Waltham Toll Bar Academy when students picked up GCSE results today.

The school saw the numbers of Grade 9s, the highest possible, increase by 20% while those achieving Grade 5 or above in English and Maths combined went up 5% to 43%, 11% higher than the average across North East Lincolnshire a year ago.

A total of 67% achieved Grade 4 or above in both, another big jump, with 18 subjects out of 20 improving their performance from 12 months ago.

Last year had marked a turnaround in results and Principal Nigel Whittle was delighted this year's built on that success.

"I would like to congratulate our Year 11, their teachers and support staff for a strong set of results," he said.

"We had improved results 12 months ago and we've now taken them to another level. Our aim is to continue to build on this upward trend.

"My team has put a lot of effort into Maths and so I am particularly pleased to see a significant uplift in the subject on 12 months ago. Science, traditionally strong here, has improved still further.

"History and Photography were among our strongest performing subjects while Dance, in its first year, did exceptionally well.

"A huge amount of work and energy was put in by students and staff and the results are testament to that. We can be proud of what has been achieved."

There were some outstanding individual performances.

Highest achiever with 6 grade 9s and 3 8s was Matilda Cowie, who was "shocked" by her success.

"I did not expect so many 9s," she said. "I'm most proud of my 9 in History. It's my favourite subject and I did loads of work in it which paid off.

"I've had a good time at Toll Bar and am joining the Sixth Form here to study Politics, History and Art."

Ruby Fraser was "happy" with 6 grade 9s and 5 8s and, at +1.98, had one of the year group's highest progress scores.

"I'm excited and glad that all the hard work has paid off," she said.

"I'm particularly pleased with my 7 in Maths. I'd like to thank the teachers for all the help they have given. I'm going to study A-levels at Franklin College."

Mum Tamsin Fraser also praised the staff.

"She had high expectations of herself and I'm so proud of her as she worked so hard.

"The extra work the teachers put in – after school, at weekends and during the holidays – was fantastic," Mrs Fraser said.

Somebody else who was happy was Poppy Davey, who attained 4 grade 9s and 5 8s and will move on to Toll Bar Sixth Form.

"I've enjoyed school and had some good teachers," she said. "I'm most proud of my English results. I've never been very good at English but ended up with 8s in Language and Literature.

"I was not expecting that."

The student with the highest progress score (+2.75) was Polish born Szymon Stanczak, who arrived in England not being able to speak a word of the language.

He was, then, "impressed" with his 7 in English Language and 5 in Literature.

"I was a bit nervous beforehand but I'm really pleased about everything," he said.

Aaron Hager, with results including 5 grade 9s, "couldn't believe it".

"I thought I'd get higher results but I was expecting 6s and 7s not 8s and 9s," he said.

He will join renewable energy giant Orsted at its Grimsby base on an apprenticeship as a wind turbine technician.

Another achieving higher than he expected was Clark Wingate, who achieved a +2.31 progress score.

"I'm happy," he said. "I'm most proud of my Maths result as I was expecting a 5 and got a 7."

Successful students at Waltham Toll Bar Academy after picking up their results.

Tears of joy for Ruby Fraser and mum Tamsin.

Highest achiever Matilda Cowie, joining Toll Bar Sixth Form, with her results.

A happy Poppy Davey with her results.

Aaron Hager, who has secured an apprenticeship with Orsted, with Assistant Principal Ollie Fothergill.

Szymon Stanczak who achieved the highest progress at the school.

Highest than he expected, Clark Wingate.

Students could enrol for Toll Bar Sixth Form in person today, with Principal Nigel Whittle helping one do so.

Students, families and staff at Waltham Toll Bar Academy as GCSE results are revealed.

Students achieving the best progress were:
Szymon Stanczak - +2.75
Aya Bader - + 2.53
Matilda Cowie - +2.45
Clark Wingate - +2.31
Tyra Mukasa - +2.19
Charlotte Bemrose +2.10
Layla Salemeh - +2.09
Talisha Gibson - +1.99
Ruby Fraser - +1.98
Oliver Chan - +1.89
Umar Shanoor - +1.89

Students with highest results:
Matilda Cowie 6 Grade 9s and 3 Grade 8s
Annie Peck – 5 Grade 9s and 2 Grade 8s
Aaron Hager – 5 Grade 9s, 2 Grade 8’s and  Grade 6
Tyra Mukasa – Grades 7-5 and Progress score of +2
Clarke Wingate – 1 Grade 9, 5 Grade 8s and +2.3 Progress
Ruby Fraser – 6 Grade 9s, 2 Grade 8s and a Grade 7 and  +2.3 Progress
Poppy Davey – 4 Grade 9s and 5 Grade 8s
Hallie Hotchin – 3 Grade 9s, 2 Grade 8s, Grade 7 and 3 Grade 6’s
Alison Barrett – 2 Grade 9s, 4 Grade 8s and 3 Grade 7s
Maddie Goodwin – 1 Grade 9 and 7 Grade 8s

Year 11 students can find out more information about Toll Bar Sixth Form and enrol at www.tollbarmatsixthform.co.uk

Year 6 parents and carers are invited to the academy’s Open Evening on Tuesday, 17th September, between 5pm and 7.30pm.