Remarkable success stories on GCSE results day at The Birkenhead Park School

Students at The Birkenhead Park School celebrated the results of their hard work and determination today when they opened their long awaited GCSE results.  The Class of 2018 rose to the challenge of the new, more difficult GCSEs and the results were some of the best the school has seen. 

Great success was seen in most subject areas, with standout grades in the core subjects of Maths and English.

Thomas, Owen, Patrisia and Demi celebrate with Headteacher Mrs Johnson

Head student Guilleary Lucito Deles topped the individual performances with an incredible set of results, including five grade 9s – the maximum achievement in the new GCSE grading system and is recognised as a level above the old A* mark. Students achieving a grade 9 in any subject are considered to be in the top 4% in the country.

Guilleary’s success is made all the more remarkable given that she only started school in England less than three years ago, having moved to the UK from the Philippines.

She said: “I was up until about 3am last night worrying about my results! I want to take Chemistry, Physics and Maths at Birkenhead Sixth Form College, so I really wanted 9s in all the sciences, and I can’t believe I actually did it! I love science and I revised so hard for those subjects. I read all of the textbooks front to back!”

Guilleary shares the delight of opening her results with Mrs Johnson

Discussing the recent changes in GCSE exams, Guilleary said: “I haven’t lived here for very long so I didn’t know what the previous exams were like, and I was pretty unfamiliar with education here, but these exams, in my opinion, were really hard.

“I have to say that most of my own results are down to pure hard work. A lot of people say ‘oh, you’re just really clever’ or even ‘you’re a genius’ or naturally born like that, but I’ve worked really hard at school since I was young. In the months leading up to the GCSE exams, I’d get home and study for quite a few hours every night, because I wanted to fulfil my own expectations. I put a lot of pressure on myself. It’s tiring but I feel like it’s worth it, and my parents are going to be so happy when I tell them!”

Guilleary, who is also a gifted pianist, has her sights set on a scientific career after her A Levels, and she concluded: “I want to go into pharmacology because I love chemistry so much, but I’d also like to do something in neurology or become a neurosurgeon. For now, I’m just happy to be studying science A Levels at the College in September.”

Like Guilleary, the majority of students from The Birkenhead Park School are now planning to continue their academic studies at Birkenhead Sixth Form College where they will study A Levels in preparation for taking up a place at university.

Headteacher at The Birkenhead Park School, Mrs Johnson, said: “I am very proud of all of our students and their fantastic achievements.  As a year group, they have responded to the challenge of the new-style GCSEs by embracing the school’s values of Positivity, Ambition, Resilience and Thoughtfulness. 

“The school’s journey of transformation is well underway and we are looking forward to welcoming a record number of new year 7 students in September.  Until then, we are enjoying celebrating our Year 11 student’s GCSE results before they leave us for the next exciting phase of their lives.  It has been an absolute privilege to teach them - we wish them the very best for the future and continued success.”