SCHOOL leavers in Hartford have been praised by their new head teacher on GCSE result day.

St Nicholas Catholic High School boss, Craig Burns, only joined the school at easter, and with exam leave starting not long after, has had little chance to get to know this year’s 11 cohort well.   

However, in a moving statement, Craig congratulated his students, and commended their ‘resilience and determination’ in facing the challenges of Covid and bouncing back to achieve so much this year.

He also spoke of the ‘challenging’ nature of the world these young people must strike out into today, adding the difficult circumstances surrounding their achievements make them even more worthy of celebration.

Northwich Guardian: Current year 11s: (L to R) Leo Veradi; Moses Davies; Jonah Noronha; Nsengiyumva Current year 11s: (L to R) Leo Veradi; Moses Davies; Jonah Noronha; Nsengiyumva (Image: St Nicholas Catholic High School)

Craig said: “We are so proud of our year 11 students who have worked so hard to achieve such fantastic results today.  

“They have been through a great deal during their five years in secondary school and we must not forget how challenging it is to be a young person today and their determination and resilience should be celebrated.

“The staff and students here have excellent relationships, and the pastoral care is impressive across the school.

Northwich Guardian: Alvaro Martin-Thompson and Charlie Kelly Alvaro Martin-Thompson and Charlie Kelly (Image: St Nicholas Catholic High School)

“Our sixth form continues to thrive, produce impressive outcomes and dedicated pastoral care.  

“We look forward to welcoming our year 11 students, as well as many other external students, to our sixth form in September. 

“For any student who wishes to join the sixth form here at St Nicholas, please get in touch with us.”

Northwich Guardian: Miss Yeates (centre), head of year 11, with students on GCSE results day Miss Yeates (centre), head of year 11, with students on GCSE results day (Image: St Nicholas Catholic High School)

The class of 2023 is the first to go back to full old-school marking post-Covid, with last year deemed ‘a transition year' by qualifications watchdog, Ofqual.

Grades were expected to fall sharply this year after they skyrocketed in 2020 and 2021, but despit this, the vast majority of St Nicholas’ GCSE students achieved the grades for their first choice of next step.

Northwich Guardian: Mia Shepherd (left) and Luca Gasparini Mia Shepherd (left) and Luca Gasparini (Image: St Nicholas Catholic High School)

Soon-to-be year 12 pupil, Mia Shepherd, said: “I have done better than expected.

“I have loved being here and, I’m looking forward to studying for my A Levels in Art, Geography, and Law.”

Pupil, Luca Gasperini, said: “I've really enjoyed my time at St Nicholas and can't wait to start in the sixth form here studying biology, chemistry, and music.”