Congratulations to all our exam students this year. To skip to the GCSE section of this article click here
A Level
We would like to congratulate our students and staff on our tremendous exam results. This year more than any other, we are very proud of the resilience they have shown and their determination to succeed, despite the turbulence of the last two years. This was their first experience of sitting public exams which is an achievement in itself.
The hard work shown by our students has paid off with a big jump in top grades (A and A*) from the last ‘normal’ year. It was fantastic to see every single student in French, Spanish, PE and Music gain a grade B or above. We were delighted to see 32 students earn a clean sweep of A and A* grades.
With grade boundaries being set nationally midway between 2019 and 2021 grade boundaries it is more difficult than usual to make direct comparisons with our results, but we are pleased to see our students’ results sitting in between our strong results from 2019 and even stronger results from 2021.
Mr Birch, Head of 6th Form has sent a special message to all students.
Congratulations to all of you on making it through an incredibly tough two years.
As you were unable to sit GCSEs in 2020, this summer’s exams were the first external assessments you took, it’s a tremendous achievement. Even if things didn’t go quite as well as you wanted them to do, remember that these exam results don’t define you, you are much more than a set of grades.
The resilience you have shown under such conditions is remarkable and will serve you well in later life. You are all exceptional, inspiring, and talented young people and we couldn’t be prouder of you. Best wishes and good luck in your exciting next steps.
God Bless,
Mr Birch
Headteacher, Mrs Cleary commented; “It was such a joy to be in school yesterday to see our students pick up their results. This was the first time that most had done this and it was so fantastic to see their nervous faces break into huge smiles once they had opened their envelopes. Many stared in disbelief at what they had achieved, as it exceeded their expectations. I would like all of our students to know that we wish them all the very best for the future and hope that their lives are filled with further success and happiness. Hopefully they will keep in touch and let us know how they are getting on”.
And the final word from some of the students themselves . . . . . . .
Tom– Notre Dame has allowed me to reach my full potential, both academically, but also personally. Teachers are always supportive, helpful and willing to give up their time to support anyone. I know that Notre Dame has supported me in reaching my dream university and allowed me to grow holistically.
Aisling– I’m really happy with my A level results! Although I’m taking a gap year, so I’m not sure where I’ll be studying next year, I feel as through from both the outcome of my grades and time at Notre Dame, I’m prepared for what’s to come!
Josh– The teachers are very supportive in whichever learning style suits you the most and are happy to provide super-curricular materials. There is always the opportunity to go the extra mile in the subjects you find really interesting.
Henry- I was a student at Notre Dame High School and chose to move up to the sixth form after my time in lower school. I loved my time at sixth form thanks to the high standard of teaching and strong sense of community, which helped me to achieve top grades in a comfortable and friendly environment. I am now off to study Philosophy at Durham University
Ellie–“The whole exam experience was made bearable with the immense support and understanding as all of the teachers and pastoral staff! The results day was relatively pain free too – the simple organisation and administration of results put your mind at ease and everyone was as available as you needed them to be – opening them, I needed space to breathe and that’s exactly what I got, but when I needed help and support and reassurance, Mr Dransfield was eager to help! I was a newcomer to Notre Dame and joined in sixth form but it so quickly became my new home, and like a family which makes my leaving to Chester for university very difficult indeed”
Vaila – “Before coming to Notre Dame, I would never have imagined that leaving school could be so hard! Thanks to the inspiring teachers, friends and opportunities provided by my time in Sixth Form, I am so excited for the next years of my life, firstly during my gap year then at Cambridge University, but my experience at Notre Dame will always hold a special place in my heart and be reflected in who I become.”
Class of 2022 . . . . . well done!
GCSE Results Success
It was another joyous morning at Notre Dame today as students picked up their exam results from 8 am. Students arrived in large numbers and with friendship groups, to brave the opening of the envelope! They had no need to worry as they have done so well.
After having terrible disruption to their education through the last 3 years this cohort of students have shown incredible determination and resilience to achieve grades that are of a level that exceed pre-pandemic levels.
Mrs Cleary, Headteacher said, “It is incredibly rewarding to see students achieve the results they so richly deserve despite the significant challenges faced due to lockdowns, remote learning and self-isolation. This year group, despite all this, came back even more determined and focused to work well with each other and staff, to make the most of their learning time. Their desire to achieve the highest standards they could was palpable, and has led to results that exceed pre-pandemic levels. Congratulations to all our students and staff on these fabulous results, they are well deserved.”
An impressive 85% of students gained 5 GCSE passes including English and Maths, furthermore, 90% of all grades awarded were grade 4 or above. 37% of all grades awarded were grades 7 – 9 (A or A* in old money).
All of these figures are our highest ever and are an increase from 2019 (the last year that exams were taken) which were themselves a strong set of results.
Mr Marsden, Head of Year 11
Congratulations to all of you on an amazing set of results. You should all be so proud of the hard work that has most definitely paid off. It was so nice to see so many of you in today collecting results and I very much hope you all have what you need for the next part of your journey.
All the best for your next steps wherever they may take you!
Dubby – Achieved all 7s and 9s and said he was not nervous until the night before. He is staying on at Notre Dame to do Maths, Further Maths and Economics. On the school, he said “they are really supportive. Whenever I had work to be marked they would do it the day after.”
Maddie got the results she’s after in her ongoing dream to go to medical school to be a doctor. She said “I thought I had done a lot worse. I was so relieved. It was like a weight off my chest. Last night I couldn’t sleep.” She said the exam was really stressful, adding “I didn’t realise until we were sat in the exam hall how much pressure there was, but felt really supported along the way.”
Olivia got all 9s except one 8 in technology. She said she was aiming to get strong results but said she was surprised. “I was thinking some subjects would be a 7′ she said. ” Notre Dame has been great. As good as it can be.”
Poppy and Lucas both got the results they were hoping for, with Poppy getting all 8s and 9s. Lucas said ‘it was really stressful but it went better than I expected. It’s been scary but the school have offered lots of help. It feels like everything has turned out alright.”‘
Poppy said ‘this is all that I could have hoped for.’
Angel -Angel received all levels 5 to 8 and is staying on to do Physics, Chemistry and Sociology at Sixth Form. She said ‘I love this school. I was really nervous today. I was dreading these results. I didn’t know how I was going to do and I am so pleased with how it has turned out’.
Congratulations Year 11 -you are amazing!