Sixth Form Students’ Results Secure First Choice University, Apprenticeship and Employment Places

Students and staff at Congleton High School are celebrating a strong set of A Level results again this year, which have enabled the majority of the cohort to progress on to their first choice university, apprenticeship and employment destinations.

These results are an outstanding achievement for this cohort of students given that, due to the Covid restrictions affecting their 2021 GCSEs, these were their first formal exams since SATS in Year 6 of primary school. 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.

The many students who have successfully achieved their chosen university place include:

• Isaac Cumberlidge (Deputy Head Student): A*/A*/A* in Chemistry, Biology and Physics in addition to A*/A* previously achieved in Maths and Further Maths. Isaac has secured his place to read Maths at Oxford University.
• Ryan Cartlidge (Head Student): A*/A/A/B, which will enable Ryan to start his Medicine degree at Manchester.
• Finn Garner: A/A/B/B grades, also securing his place at Manchester to read Medicine.
• Maddison Hughes: A/B/B/B and now moving on to Nottingham to study Veterinary Medicine.
• Megan Beech: A*/A/A and is now on a prestigious Football Scholarship playing for East Central Community College in Mississippi, USA.
• Travis Dixon-O’Neill: Distinction*/A/A and now taking up his place at the University of Sheffield to study Maths and Statistics.
• Lucy Janes: A/A/B and going on to University of Loughborough to study Management with a placement year.
• Sophie Mason: A/B/B, enabling Sophie to study Cognitive Neuroscience and Psychology at the University of Manchester.
• Leah Fraser (Deputy Head Student): A/B/B and taking up her place at University of Sheffield to read History.
• Amelia Mayson: A/B/B and going on to study Speech and Language Therapy at Cardiff Metropolitan University.
• Ellie Bestwick: A/B/B and will now take up her place at Keele University to read Law.
• Natalie Tadjaren: A/B/B which has enabled her to move on to study Psychological Sciences at the University of Liverpool.
• Grace Kennedy (Head Student): B/B/C and going on to study Foundation Acting Stage and Screen at LIPA and, no doubt, will be appearing on our screen and stages in the not too distant future!

Aspiring teachers undertaking our Childcare and Education - Early Years Educator course saw great success this year with many celebrating the grades needed to allow them to continue on their pathway, including:

• Paige Avery: A*/A*/A* moving on to the University of Chester to study Early Years Education
• Angel Arthington: A/A/A will now study Primary Education with QTS at Staffordshire University.
• Darby Armour: A/A/A Primary Years Education with QTS - Edge Hill University

Kate Oakley, the first ever recipient at our Sports Awards Evening of our new Jim Barlow Award for combined academic and sporting excellence, secured A*/A/B grades. Kate has deferred her Sport and Exercise Science degree place at Brighton University to take up a contract with Lewes FC Women’s team.

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 Ben Sproston, who has accepted a Degree Apprenticeship with Barclays and Olivia Field, undertaking an Astra Zeneca Procurement Degree Apprenticeship. Lily-Lou Shipton and Jennifer Willis have both secured Dental Nurse Apprenticeships as a result of their work throughout their Health and Social Care course. Adam Taylor and Jake Dawson have been accepted for apprenticeships with Senior Aerospace Bird Bellows following successful work experience. Zak Hargreaves will return to Congleton High in September to take up a role as an Apprentice Teaching Assistant. Barclays, Astra Zeneca and Bird Bellows are among the many valued supporters of the varied careers opportunities at Congleton High, and have each accepted a number of students on to apprenticeships over the years.

Miss Boulton, Head of Sixth Form at Congleton High School, commented on the cohort’s achievements:

“Throughout their time in Sixth Form, this year group have provided outstanding student leadership, inspiring other students throughout the school. They have overcome the not insignificant ordeal of Covid, along with many personal challenges, and let nothing hold them back.

“These students have embraced the many opportunities at Congleton High and have reaped the rewards on results day. The teachers and support staff at the school are exceptionally proud of the fantastic achievements of these wonderful young people and they should be very proud of themselves too."