Staindrop students reap rewards for GCSE exam success

HARD graft during exam time has seen a group of Teesdale teens rewarded for their efforts.

Students at Staindrop Academy were crowned the best among their peers for their efforts through the school year.

Guest of honour Natalie Davidson-Terranova, principal of Bishop Auckland College, gave a speech at a ceremony before handing out the prizes for their GCSE achievements.

Headteacher Alyson Carr congratulated students and teachers on this year’s GCSE results achieved in “very challenging circumstances”.

She added: “They have performed miracles amidst the sea of curriculum change which continues unabated next year. They deserve tremendous credit for their hard work.

“The new English and maths examinations were hard and every student at Staindrop achieved a grade – something we are very proud of.”

Among the prize winners were Zoe Hutchinson, who achieved a top grade nine in both English and maths to put herself among the top two per cent in the country.

Staindrop was ranked seventh in County Durham with an average of 67 per cent pass rate in English and maths exams.

Mrs Carr added: “I wish to extend my thanks to all students, teachers, non-teaching staff, governors and parents – without this support Staindrop would not be such a successful school.”