A-LEVEL RESULTS DAY 2019: Spalding High School full results
The smile on headmistress Michele Anderson's face said it all on a proud day for Spalding High School.
With the proportion of A*-B grades at 58.5 per cent, sixth form students made their mark in this year's A-Levels, enjoying success across their chosen subjects.
Mrs Anderson looked forward to her students leaving the school "in a position to take the next step" into higher education and a vast range of degree subjects, including Ancient History, English Literature and Creative Writing, Marine Biology, Primary Teaching and Veterinary Medicine.
"I'm thrilled, thrilled to bits, with our students because they have worked so hard and done so well," Mrs Anderson said.
"It's such a challenge these days, within a changing exam landscape, and there's so much stress and anxiety for students.
"But they've coped so well and their resilience, their commitment and their maturity is absolutely brilliant."
"Yet the school is about more than exam results and the most important thing for me is that our students are all in a position to take the next step.
"That's what is so very, very pleasing and heart-warming for me."
Three students, Flori Margaritescu, Rebecca Duckworth and Jemima Wakefield, left Spalding High School with three A*s, with Flori also collecting an A.
Jemima, of Spalding, who is going to the University of East Anglia (Norwich) to study English Literature and Creative Writing, said: "My grades for Art, English Litterature, Information and Communications Technology were a lot better than I expected, even though I did really well with my coursework.
"I was alright waiting for my results until Wednesday night when it all suddenly hit me that my life might be turned upside down and I might have to find something different to do.
"I want to be an author and although you don't need a degree to do well at it, I just think it'll be good for me to learn about writing books."
Rebecca, of Deeping St James, successfully took A-Levels in Drama, English Literature and Geography, with her "next step" set to be an English Literature degree at Durham University.
"I was quite shocked with my grades, to be honest, and I wasn't expecting them," Rebecca said.
"But I'm very relieved because it's been really hard work and as results day got closer, I got more and more impatient.
"I've really loved it at Spalding High School and it's really hard to leave now because it's like being part of a really close family."
Holly Woodroffe, of Newborough, near Market Deeping, was one of a number of students who took four A-Levels, achieving an A* in Art, As in Biology and PE, as well as a B in Chemistry.
"I thought I'd have done better in Biology, just because that was my strongest subject," Holly said.
"But I also thought I did much worse in Chemistry, so it's not been too bad.
"I'm quite a laid-back person anyway, but I might change my course at Nottingham University where I have offers to do Biochemistry and Psychology because I didn't think I'd do as well as I did."
Miranda Hutchinson, of Surfleet, earned an A* in Sociology, A in Religious Studies and B in English Literature, enough to go on to a place at Leicester University to study Law.
"It's been stressful because I had no idea how I was going to do," Miranda said.
"I'll miss everything about Spalding High School where everyone is just so lovely."
Martha Ward outside Spalding High School after achieving three As in English Language, Sociology and Psychology. Photo by Tim Wilson. SG-150819-040TW
More reaction from Spalding High School Year 13 students:-
Alex Bates, of Wisbech: Biology (A*), Chemistry and Physics (As); Veterinary Science at Nottingham University - "I'm over the moon, it's been really tricky and there have been times when you've felt so frustrated with studying because you can't get your head around things.
"I chose Nottingham University because I really like the way they structure the course and how they focus on practical skills, a form of study that I most like."
Martha Ward, of Spalding: English Language, Psychology and Sociology (all As); Sociology at Sheffield University - "I went into my exams wanting to do better than I did in my mock exams.
"It's been a long wait for my results and really nerve-wracking, but I'm pleased it's here and now I just want to have a nice meal at home."
Paige Weibel, of Spalding: English Literature (A*), Biology and Geography (As) - "My grades are better than expected because the exams were hard and I had to sacrifice quite a lot.
"It''s been pretty full-on but I don't know what I'll do next and I'll probably defer my offers from Bristol and Durham Universities to study biology."
Emma Gent, of Spalding: Biology, Business Studies and Psychology (all As); Physical Education at the University of East Anglia - "My grades are better than expected as I was hoping for three Bs.
"It's been difficult waiting for my results but now I can go out tonight.
"Spalding High School has been really good and I've really enjoyed it here."
Megan Bull, of Sutterton: Business Studies (A*), History (A) and Maths (B); Business Management and Human Resources (HR) at Leeds University - "We're really lucky here because we have such a passionate team of history teachers who just love what they do.
"I like HR because it's more people-based which is important in business and aiming towards a career in it.
"But the brilliance of university is that you get to try everything and find what you like."
