Record year of GCSE results for Derbyshire school

More than 40 per cent of young people at Mount St Mary’s College, at Spinkhill, recorded the top grades 9 to 7 as results were revealed yesterday.

Among the highest achievers were Toluwa Owolabi, who received straight 9s in all 10 of the GCSE subjects he sat, and Naomi Ball, who got eight 9s and two 8s in her exams.

Toluwa said he was ‘in total shock’.

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“I was really expecting 7s and maybe a couple of 9s so I’m absolutely over the moon,” he added.

Naomi, who got 9s in biology, chemistry, English literature, English language, geography, maths, physics and religious studies, as well as 8s in drama and Spanish, said she was delighted with her results.

“They are absolutely what I was hoping and actually better than I was expecting,” she said. “I’m thrilled.”

Naomi will begin studying A-levels in English literature, maths and politics in the Mount’s Sixth Form in September.

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Izzy Smith was also celebrating after getting three 9s, three 8s and two 7s in her GCSE results.

“I’m shaking. It’s wonderful to finally get our results and I can’t wait to celebrate with friends tonight.”

George Phinn who joined the Mount from Barlborough Hall School, was delighted with his results.

“It’s great. I got two 9s, three 8s, and three 7s,” he said. “I’m going to be doing my A-levels here in the sixth form and I’m hoping to study English literature, business and art.”

Mount St Mary’s College Headteacher, Anu Monga, said: “Once again we have seen our students get a fantastic set of results this morning.

“However it’s important to note that while these results are excellent, they are not out of line with our results in previous years and this year has obviously been exceptional.

“Our students have faced a unique set of challenges and we are extremely proud of how hard they have studied and the level of commitment and dedication they have shown during this very difficult time.”

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