High achievers celebrate exam successes at Fenham school

There were celebrations all round when students at a Fenham school received their A level results.

Five students at Sacred Heart Catholic High School received straight A*s, while an impressive number achieved a combination of A* and A grades to secure places at some of the UK’s top universities, including Oxford.

“The results this year are exceptionally good and are testament to the commitment of our girls and the teachers who taught them,” said Suzanne Howell, Headteacher at the school, which is part of the Bishop Bewick Catholic Education Trust. 

“These excellent results will open doors to the careers and the futures our students aspire to.”

One of those celebrating straight A*s was Callista Fleming-Beresford, whose top grades in English Literature, History, and Ceramics will see her take up a place at Durham University to read English Literature.

“I’m chuffed to bits,” she said. “I was hoping to do well, and now all the pressure has just gone.

“Sacred Heart has been amazing – I couldn’t think of a better school to go to, and the teachers have been perfect.”

Fellow high-fliers included Imogen Bungay with A*s in Maths and Biology, and an A in Chemistry, who will be studying dentistry at Newcastle University.

“I always knew I wanted to do something with science and healthcare,” she explained. “I decided in Year 12 that dentistry was the route I wanted to go down.

“The subjects I did were quite hard and challenging, but I’ve enjoyed them, and the teaching style has been very good. If you had a question, the teachers were always there to help you.”

Also with three A*s and an A (in Biology, Chemistry, Extended Project Qualification and Maths respectively), Michelle Chen is off to Oxford University to study Biochemistry. 

“I didn’t expect to do as well, so that’s been a surprise,” she said. “My family are pleased – and also relieved.

“I really want to thank the teachers for their support. They’ve been really helpful, especially with mock interviews, which really helped with the real thing.”

Another high achiever, Aoife Harkin attained an A* in Biology and As in maths, chemistry and art and will now study Biomedical Sciences at Edinburgh University.

“I’m very pleased with the results,” she said. “I was kind of confident about Biology, which is my favourite subject, but I thought I’d bombed at maths, so I was really surprised.

“I’ve been at Sacred Heart since Year 7. I didn’t really want to go to an all girls school at first, but it’s worked out really well for me. There was never any pressure not to do particular subjects – like science subjects being for boys – which can happen in mixed schools. I have always felt comfortable there.”

Sacred Heart also recorded great success with its vocational courses, with students attaining the highest Distinction* grades, and going on to take up apprenticeships with HMRC, and in teaching, and finance and accountancy.

“At Sacred Heart, we are ambitious for all our students and want them to have the best opportunities for their future lives,” added Mrs Howell. 

“Huge congratulations to all our Year 13 students, who have shown incredible dedication and resilience, working so hard over the last two years.

“Our staff and governors congratulate all students and wish them every success in their future lives.

“You are all exceptional, inspiring, and talented young women, and we couldn’t be more pleased or proud of you.”