ONCE again, Queen’s Park High School students have done themselves and the school community proud.

Despite the turbulent 18 months they have endured, students have shown such commitment to their studies and a determination to succeed which have today (Thursday, August 12) reaped just rewards.

A school spokesperson said: "We were thrilled to have been able to welcome our students back into school this morning, having achieved both some spectacular individual successes as well as sustaining (and indeed exceeding) the pattern of improvement the school has seen over the past few years.

"This year we are particularly thrilled to see so many of our students achieve above and beyond expectations with a third of the year group having achieved one or more (up to over 3) grades better across all their subjects than originally targeted.

"In this respect, particular mention needs to be given to the following students who have made exceptional progress over the last five years: Craig Duggan, Lucia Morris, Niall Hagan, Omar Sheb, Tara Kord, Isaac Miller, Anna Kelsall, Ruby Platt, Luke Harris, Joe Brown, Jasmine Murphy and DD Smyth.

"Other outstanding performances with grades 9-7 in at least 8 subjects come from: Erin Kendall-Smith, Tess Griffin, Sarah Kefford, Dan McDermott, Kelsey Griffiths, Emily McHugh, Joel Coombs and Laura Mateus."

Headteacher Lyndsay Watterson said: “This is another special day for us here at Queen’s Park. I feel incredibly proud of our Year 11 students, a cohort for whom we have always had high expectations, which they have lived up to admirably.

"Their commitment, maturity and determination to succeed have been modelled throughout lockdown and they have faced all the challenges which have been presented to them with positivity and verve.

"For each and every student, today is about celebrating their own personal success and determining their next steps in their academic journey, whatever that may be. It has been a privilege for us as staff to be able to support and help shape their futures.

"We pride ourselves at Queen’s Park for our family feel, the fact that all our students are known and nurtured and when looking through the results this year we were thrilled to be able to pick out so many success stories for students who have had to overcome significant personal barriers throughout their educational journey and for those who have made significant progress both academically and personally as a consequence.

"I hope we have played our part in setting them up for successful futures, whether this be here at Queen’s Park in the 6th Form or elsewhere. We wish them all the best of luck.”

Jill Cutler, Key Stage 4 Leader, added “I am immensely proud of all students collecting their results today.

"Two years ago they were set the challenge of working hard, being resilient when faced with challenges and to show great determination to reach the top of their ‘Mars bar’ hill, and they have all certainly done that, in the most difficult of circumstances. I look forward to seeing a large number of them returning to us in September to embark on their next challenge. Well done!”

For students looking to secure places in the school’s Sixth Form, there are a small number of places remaining and anyone wanting to submit an application should contact the school at 6form@qphs.co.uk. Enrolment takes place for external applicants throughout the morning on Thursday, September 2.