GCSE Results day at Harrogate Grammar School

Following last week’s A-level results day, the Sixth Form forum opened its doors to students for the second time this summer, who eagerly bombarded the hall to find out their GCSE results.

The rustle and bustle had a great atmosphere with a sea of happy students, relieved parents and proud staff members, including Harrogate Grammar School (HGS) Head teacher Richard Sheriff.

He said: “The day is still young, it’s been a really positive start to the day for the school. There is a very happy atmosphere and it is really wonderful to see so many of our students getting the results they want and having their hard work pay off.

“From my point of view as a parent and a Head teacher, I know that it feels horrendous, there is sleepless nights and an aching tension for months before, that is all released on this day. At the end of the day it’s not about the numbers and figures, it’s about people and about them getting to where they want to be.”

A number of students achieved some exceptional results including Emma Ball who out of 11 GCSEs received 10 A*s and one A.

Emma said: “I’m really happy I didn’t think I would do this well. I wasn’t that nervous during exams because we had done mocks before but I’m so happy with my results.”

Another exceptional achiever was Leona Strauss, who got an incredible four A*s 6 A’s and one B in light of the fact she missed a whole school term due to an illness.

She said: “I’m really pleased, my parents will be happy with whatever I get. I’m in shock - I didn’t know what to expect because I’ve been ill all this year and I missed a whole term of school so I’m just happy I did this well.”

Plenty of the students we spoke to were mostly keen to find out their results to make sure they had met the requirements to carry on studying at the HGS Sixth Form.

Sam Hartshorn said: “I’m pretty happy with my results, I’m staying to study at this sixth form and I’ve got into all the subjects that I applied to study at A-level so I’m over the moon. When I come back I’ll be studying geography, drama, photography and music BTEC. I want to study film making in the future so I’ve chosen subjects that will help me do that. My mum is really pleased with my results but I need to call my dad and tell him.”

As the students started to filter out of the results hall and the morning came to a close, many were keen to go off and celebrate their success.

Joseph Smith said: “I’ve done really well, I was very nervous but my parents were actually quite helpful. I’m probably going to go home and spend time with my family tonight.”

Other students were kick-starting their celebrations with plans to jet off on their family holiday, including Lydia Wood who picked up her results with her older sister Aimee.

Lydia said: “I was quite nervous before but I’m really pleased with my results, I’m flying to France later this evening with my family and we’re going for two weeks, so it’s been a really good day.”