THIS really was a first time for everything at Droylsden’s Laurus Ryecroft school as it received its inaugural set of GCSE results.
And the pupils had everyone smiling after performing ‘exceptionally well.’
74 per cent of students gained a Grade Four or above in English and Mathematics, with over a quarter of all grades awarded at the ‘top shelf’ Grade Seven-Nine.
With the school describing the results as ‘stellar’ notable individual performances included Amy Fujikawa and Ruby Howarth-Meek, who achieved an impressive suite of all Grade Eights and Nines.
Charlie Dean and Khadija Kessaci also collected a massive 16 Grade Eights and Nines between them.
All this has been achieved at the school on Cryer Street against a background of Covid-19, lockdowns, home schooling and the challenges of temporary accommodation.
Head of Laurus Ryecroft, Martin Vevers, said: “We are immensely proud of what our founding cohort have achieved this year.
“It is a testament to their hard work and resilience during what has been an unprecedented five years of their secondary education.
“I would like to congratulate all of our students and I wish them every success as they move on to the future of their choice.”
Laurus Ryecroft’s Year Nine students are also celebrating after sitting their GCSE Spanish this summer.
76 per cent already have their first pass in the bag with an amazing 29 per cent achieving the top grades of Seven or above.
Mr Vevers added: “We are incredibly proud of our Year Nines, who have achieved remarkable outcomes in their GCSE Spanish.”
Linda Magrath, chief executive of the Laurus Trust, said: “When we were asked to open a brand-new Secondary School in Tameside it seemed like a daunting prospect given that The Laurus Trust was virtually unknown in the area.
“From the outset, parents and potential parents from the local community have been incredibly supportive of our vision to provide all students with high quality academic education.
“Choosing to send a child to a brand-new, untried and tested school is an extraordinary leap of faith for any parent.
“From the very start, our ‘founding families’, together with our dedicated and talented staff, have worked in partnership to ensure that the students at Laurus Ryecroft have had the very best support, encouragement and educational experience possible.
“This year has already seen Laurus Ryecroft judged to be outstanding in all areas by Ofsted which, together with this first impressive set of outcomes, demonstrates that the faith and trust shown by the local community was not misplaced.
“I am incredibly proud of every single Laurus Ryecroft student for their hard work and diligence over the last five years and delighted to see this rewarded by some absolutely phenomenal results.”