Students and staff at Congleton High School are celebrating an exceptional year for A* and A grade A Level results, which has enabled the majority of the year group to progress on to their first choice university, apprenticeship and employment opportunities. 54 A*/A grades have been secured this year, representing 25% of overall grades. In particular, the Mathematics and Art faculties both have cause for celebration, with A*/A accounting for 55% and 50% of 2022 A Level grades respectively.

 

These results are an outstanding achievement for this cohort of students given that, due to the Covid restrictions affecting their 2020 GCSEs, these were their first formal exams since SATS in Year 6 of primary school. They have succeeded against the odds, with many affected directly and indirectly by Covid, battling with mental health issues or the effects of the pandemic on family members. The school is extremely proud of the great resilience they have demonstrated and the fantastic results they have achieved through their hard work and determination.

 

Students who have successfully achieved their chosen university place include:

 

  • Zara Eardley, Head Student - A* Chemistry/ A* Further Mathematics/ A* Mathematics - who will read Mathematics at Durham University. Zara worked consistently hard all though school and has a significant list of sporting accolades to add to her academic achievements.
  • Libby Trueman - A* Geography/ A* Mathematics/ A* Spanish - who is progressing on to St Catherine's College, Oxford to read Geography. Libby is a dynamic individual, with a genuine flair and passion for learning. 
  • Jack Buxton - A* Economics/ A* Mathematics/ A Physics - who will study Engineering at the University of Bristol. His scientific brain and natural flair for Mathematics shone through.
  • Dylan Pugh - A* Mathematics/ A* Computer Science/ A Further Mathematics/ A Physics - who will study Physics at the University of Manchester. A very humble and highly intelligent student, who thoroughly deserves this success.
  • Lily Smith, Deputy Head Student - A* English Literature/ A* Psychology/ A History - who will study Law at the University of York. Lily joined CHS in Year 12 from All Hallows and has engaged in a wide range of extracurricular activities and meticulous research in preparation for her application for the Law Degree.
  • Jessyka Walker, Student Leader - A* Geography/ A* History/ A Politics - who will study Geography at the University of Bristol. Jessyka has a real love for Geography and passed on her enthusiasm for the subject when supporting lower school lessons as part of the CHS Sixth Form Enrichment Programme.
  • Eloise Grice - A History/ A Geography/ A Biology - who will study Geography at Sheffield University. An intelligent, bubbly and hardworking young lady, who will succeed in whatever she does.
  • Ashleigh Buckley Hughes, Student Leader - Triple A* Health and Social Care/ A* Childcare - who will study Sports Science at Liverpool John Moores. Ashleigh benefitted from the CHS work experience programme and was determined to secure the grades she required.
  • Alisha Roberts - Triple A* Health and Social Care (in addition to her previous A grades in BTEC PE and Sociology) - who will now study Sports Therapy at Staffordshire University. Alisha has experienced a rollercoaster three years and has emerged victorious!
  • Jodie Lowe - A* Child Development/ Distinction* Public Services/ A Health and Social Care - who hopes to study Nursing at university. Jodie surpassed all expectations, including her own, throughout Sixth Form
  • Jamie Parkin - A* Mathematics/ A Further Mathematics/ A Computer Science - who will now undertake a Mathematics Degree with the Open University. Jamie is a Mathematical wizard who has consistently worked hard throughout his time at CHS.

 

Two students, Bailey Hall, Student Leader, and Spencer Sheard, have chosen to continue their studies in America. Bailey, who saw great success this year representing the country in the English Schools’ Football Association u18 squad, will study at Lander University, South Carolina. Spencer, who has seen great success over the years swimming at a competitive level, has been awarded a swimming scholarship with the Night Hawkes whilst studying for four years in Business Management as a Major alongside a Minor in Sports Science at Thomas University, South Georgia.

 

Current labour market information suggests that Health and Social Care is a local growth sector and this is reflected in the choices of many students including:

 

  • Sian Coward, Student Leader - who achieved triple A* in Health and social care, in addition to a previously secured B in Sociology and C in History, and will now study Nursing.
  • Deema Shanati, Student Leader - who achieved Distinction* in BTEC PE, A in Psychology and B in Biology and will now study Children’s Nursing.
  • Elysha Willis - who will study Adult Nursing.

 

Other degree courses that have proved popular with this year group include Psychology, Humanities subjects, Criminology, Law, Sport and Exercise Science, and Engineering.

 

Many students have opted to pursue apprenticeships after Sixth Form, securing high level placements in a variety of sectors. This will enable them to gain hands-on, paid experience while achieving industry recognised qualifications. Students following this path include:

 

  • Jack Briggs - B Computer Science/ B Mathematics/ B Physics/ B Engineering - who has secured a Manufacturing Engineering with Mechanical Design Apprenticeship with JCB.
  • Jemima Hollins, Deputy Head Student - A Mathematics/ B Further Mathematics/ C Physics - who will undertake a Data Science Degree Apprenticeship at Bentley.
  • Oliver Jennings - A Business Studies/ B Economics/ C Geography - who has secured a Supply Chain Management Degree Apprenticeship with Siemens.
  • Madison Rushton, Student Leader - B History/ B Business Studies/ C Spanish - who has secured ad Accountancy Apprenticeship with Grant Thornton.
  • Olivia Wain - B Business Studies/ C Law/ D Mathematics - who has secured a Degree Apprenticeship with Mazars Accountancy. Olivia joined CHS in Year 12 from Eaton Bank.
  • Chloe Anderson - who has secured a Level 3 IT Technician Apprenticeship with Blue Spot.
  • Josh Williams - who has secured an Engineering Fitter apprenticeship with Senior Aerospace Bird Bellows.

 

Other students have secured employment, taking up positions in a range of local, regional and national companies, including:

 

  • Kian Thompson - who has secured a role as a Production Operator at Siemens.
  • Zak Lees - who has secured a Supervisory role with the Co-op Food with a view to progressing in to management.
  • Aaron Ollier - who has secured a role as a software developer with ‘Clever Computer Services’.
  • Charlie Brough - who has always demonstrated a desire to work with animals and has secured a role as a dog groomer with ‘Pet Grooming by Kirsty Cooper’.
  • Jade Bracegirdle - who has secured a position as a Personal carer for a client with Autism.
  • Josh Vaughan, Student Leader - who has set up his own company, Vaughan and Partners Ltd, to offer software consultancy and development.

 

To prepare for their apprenticeships and employment, many undertook in situ work placements in their chosen sector and the majority benefitted from other careers opportunities and the virtual work experience initiatives organised by CHS during Covid to ensure that all students were able to get a taste of the world of work.

 

Along with work experience opportunities and classroom learning, many students continued to benefit from the CHS Sixth Form Enrichment programme, which helps to develop key employability skills and contribute to the school and wider community. The programme is wide ranging, offering students the opportunity to take the lead in both academic and school community roles and in 2021-22 some of the many opportunities included:

 

  • The Charity Committee, which helped to raise thousands of pounds for charity
  • LGBTQI+ Ambassadors who worked to raise the profile of key issues and support and advise students
  • Science Ambassadors who promoted Science by running after school clubs and organising revision materials for Year 11
  • Drama Ambassadors who ran Drama Club, supporting and encouraging younger students.
  • PE Leaders who organised and led primary school sports events.
  • Body Positive Ambassadors who helped to raise the importance of self-acceptance and even visited the House of Lords to attend a Body Image event

This is definitely a year group who did not let Covid, or anything else, hold them back. They have embraced the many opportunities at Congleton High School and have reaped the rewards on results day. The teachers and support staff at Congleton High are exceptionally proud of the fantastic achievements of these wonderful young people and they should be very proud of themselves too.