Students at Cardinal Wiseman Catholic School celebrate top A Level results

Sixth form students at Cardinal Wiseman Catholic School in Coventry are celebrating outstanding A Level results after returning to 2019 exam conditions.

The school, which is part of the Romero Catholic Academy, reported 93 per cent A* to E grades and 99 per cent Distinction* to Pass in its 2023 results, with this year representing the first time many students have sat formal exams due to the pandemic.

Students were welcomed by their teachers to reflect on their successes, with specialist careers advisors on hand to provide support with their next steps.  

Richard Kingshott, Head of Sixth Form at Cardinal Wiseman Catholic School, praised staff and students for their dedication and rising to the challenge of pre-Covid grading.

He said: “We are extremely proud of the way our students have handled themselves not just in recent months, but over the last two years to achieve these fantastic results.

“They have beaten every obstacle to progress to a variety of exciting opportunities, from degree apprenticeships in engineering to studying mathematics, physics or economics at a number of Russell Group universities.

“In celebrating their achievements, we commend the ambition and resilience shown by our students which, together with the commitment of our teaching staff, has been pivotal in their successes. We also recognise the unwavering support of parents, guardians, and the wider community without which these remarkable outcomes would not have been possible.

“We wish all students every success as they prepare for the next chapter in their lives, and look forward to hearing about their future achievements.”

Donato Kohyrelon achieved an A* in Italian, A in Maths, and a B in Physics and will study Physics at the University of Warwick.

He said: “I feel relieved, I’ve been studying so hard. It was really stressful and I was so focused on getting the results, not socialising and being fully committed, but it feels like it has paid off.

“I wanted to make the most of my time at school. From GCSEs it has been a big jump, I’ve only been in this country, in this school, since 2019. The teachers saw my potential and Mr Wheat and Mrs Williams have helped me throughout the last two years, and thanks to that I’m going to the place I want to be.”

Madison Stafford, who achieved 3 As in Biology, Chemistry, and Maths and a B in History, will be studying Biomedical Science at the University of Warwick.

She said: “I’m very excited and relieved that I’ve got into my first choice. It’s been a challenge at times but I’ve enjoyed sixth form, and focussing more on specific subjects has been great.

“Some of the exams I had a good feeling about, but they all went well in the end so I’m really happy. The teachers in my subjects have all been amazing and I’m really grateful for their help.”

Paul Tefera achieved a Distinction in IT, Distinction* in Business and B in Maths and will study Finance at the University of Leicester.

He said: “It was a really good experience and I enjoyed my subjects. I feel glad that I’ve completed this chapter and I’m looking forward to the next challenge.”

Keagan Tidman, who achieved an A* in Maths, B in Physics and C in Chemistry, said: “I was a little bit nervous, but when I saw the A* I was really happy. I was pretty relaxed on the day of the exam and the revision clearly paid off.

“It was a lot harder than year 11, and it’s gone very quickly. The support I’ve had has been brilliant and I’m really looking forward to studying Maths and Physics at Coventry University.”

The school is making final preparations before reopening its renovated sixth form centre, which will be open to students from September 2023.

For more information about Cardinal Wiseman Sixth Form, including its Foundation Programme, visit https://cardinalwiseman.coventry.sch.uk