Pictures as class of 2020 at Staveley's Netherthorpe School claim GCSE results success

The class of 2020 have handled the challenges of lockdown, closed classrooms and cancelled exams at a young age.

Nationally, the GCSE pass rate in England has increased to 79 per cent from 70 per cent and the key subjects of English and maths saw steep grade rises in England.

Most GCSE pupils in the country have not received in-school lessons since March and exams were scrapped due to the coronavirus pandemic.

MORE: Potential buyers lined up for famous Derbyshire castle hotel after sudden closure

They have been graded by schools, after a flawed algorithm was scrapped in a series of U-turns.

Among those celebrating top grades at Netherthorpe are: Oliver Ashley, Elliot Beddow, Summer Burton, Ellie Carnell, Leo Currie-Smith, Rhiannon Humberstone, Hannah Haresign, Ellise Raven, Fleur Sanderson, Aviel Simmons and Ben Ware.

This year has seen additional interest in joining the school’s sixth form for post-16 education and the majority of students will be staying on or heading to Chesterfield College.

Other students are opting to start apprenticeships in both local and national organisations.

Headteacher Dave Williams said: “I’d like to thank the students for the way in which they conducted themselves during the uncertainty the pandemic brought.

"Our thanks to all the parents and staff of Netherthorpe School for their commitment and dedication to these students in such a challenging year. I wish all our students the very best for the future.”

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news on this free-to-read site, I am asking you to also please purchase a copy of our newspaper.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards in the world. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news and information by buying a copy of our newspaper.

Thank you

Nancy Fielder