Staff and students are celebrating all the achievements of 74 pupils who sat their A-levels this summer at Dallam.
Our amazing young people have done so well in unprecedented circumstances. They were in Year 10 when the pandemic hit and their GCSEs were cancelled, so this is the first time they have sat formal exams. They’ve also had to navigate all the stresses that a pandemic can create for families and friends. So we are celebrating tales of exceptional achievements, of triumph over adversity and students gaining a huge set of wider skills that will help them with their next steps. From sporting and musical successes to developing leadership and organisational skills by putting on community events and being role models and a source of support to students in Years 7-12. Eight of our boarders sat A-Levels, and not in their first language. And we recognise their amazing achievements alongside living away from home, developing independence and resilience, says headteacher Steven Henneberry.
Among those with strong academic results is Matthew Acott. His two A* and two A’s gain him a place to study physics at Durham University. Edie McCoskrie’s A* and two A’s means she will go to the University of Portsmouth to study counter terrorism, intelligence and cybercrime.
Matthew said: “I’m so excited to be going to Durham to study Physics, it’s so nice knowing for certain now and I am so grateful for all the support I have had along the way!”. Edie told us: “I’m really happy that all my efforts throughout my time at Dallam Sixth Form have paid off and I can’t wait to get started with my undergraduate degree at the University of Portsmouth”
Tom Jameson secured three A’s and a C and has his sights set on studying Engineering at university from 2024 following a well-deserved break! Amelie Brockbank is off to the University of Stirling to study sports development and coaching as a result of getting two A* and a B. First things first though, Amelie has tickets to watch Stormzy perform in Victoria Park in London this weekend; what a way to celebrate a fantastic set of results!
The strongest performing boarding student is Michaela Hird, whose three B’s gain her a place at Nottingham Trent University to study Accounting and Finance.
Dallam headteacher Steven says: “We expect the vast majority of our students to secure places at university, commence apprenticeship schemes or enter employment. And there are a wide range of opportunities elsewhere as a plan B. We’re here to help with that and with staff taking calls and dealing with enquiries over the next few days,” adds Steven.