'I cried I was so happy': Shoreham Academy A-level students react to results

A-level students reacted with tears of joy this morning as Shoreham Academy celebrated an '˜amazing' year of results.
Jack Collins and Sam Osbourne are off to Westminster UniversityJack Collins and Sam Osbourne are off to Westminster University
Jack Collins and Sam Osbourne are off to Westminster University

Students’ excellent grades won them places at top institutions including Harvard, Oxford, Cambridge and the Northern Conservatoire.

Spencer Pescod came into school early in the morning to pick up certificates for his three A* grades in Biology, Maths and Further Maths, as well as two A grades in Chemistry and Physics, before heading straight to the airport to fly to America, where he will take up his maths and science scholarship at Harvard University.

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He said: “I am really pleased, picking up my results on the way to the airport to fly to America and studying at Harvard. I can’t wait!”

Spencer Pescod with his rucksack before flying to HarvardSpencer Pescod with his rucksack before flying to Harvard
Spencer Pescod with his rucksack before flying to Harvard

Matthew Randall, from Shoreham achieved two A* grades in Maths and Physics and an A grade in English, ontop of an A* in his extended project, giving him the results he needed to take up his place at Oxford University’s Edmond Hall to study Earth Sciences.

The 18-year-old, who hopes to go on to a career within sustainability and the environment, said: “I’m very pleased and amazed. I can’t wait to go to Oxford, it’s such an amazing opportunity.”

Josh Urban, a national award winning composer, will study musical composition at the Northern Conservatoire in Manchester after achieving three B’s in Music, Fine Art and Media Studies, while Zandile Powell will study at Cambridge University, having achieved an A* in History, an A in Philosophy and an A* in her Extended Project.

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Lauren Payne is looking forward to studying English Literature and Philosophy at London’s Royal Holloway.

Matt Randall, who will be going to Oxford, with Principal Jim CoupeMatt Randall, who will be going to Oxford, with Principal Jim Coupe
Matt Randall, who will be going to Oxford, with Principal Jim Coupe

She said: “I cried when I opened my envelope, I was so happy.

“My mum is probably going to faint when she sees my grades, I didn’t expect an A* in English Literature.”

Jess Sisley, 19, from Southwick, named by Shoreham Academy as ‘Student of the Year’, has been accepted into the University of Sussex to study history and politics after exceeding her required grades of A, B, C by achieving an A* in Sociology, an A in English and a B in history.

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She said: “I’m really happy. I definitely wasn’t expecting the grades that I got.”

Lauren Payne, who will go to Royal Holloway, with Head of Sixth Form Kieran FeltonLauren Payne, who will go to Royal Holloway, with Head of Sixth Form Kieran Felton
Lauren Payne, who will go to Royal Holloway, with Head of Sixth Form Kieran Felton

Joe Cowtan, 17, said he was pleased with the 3 B’s he achieved. He will be spending ten weeks volunteering in a community and trekking in Nepal as part of a scheme with the charity Raleigh International.

He hopes to attend the University of Southampton or the University of Portsmouth the following year to study Biochemistry.

Of all the students graduating today, 78% achieved A* to C grade results in the school’s fifth consecutive year of improved results.

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Jim Coupe, Principal of Shoreham Academy, said: “It’s amazing to see our students achieving the best grades and getting into the best institutions.

Jess Sisley has a place at the University of SussexJess Sisley has a place at the University of Sussex
Jess Sisley has a place at the University of Sussex

“I’m exceptionally proud of all our students.

“To have students going to Harvard, Oxford and Cambridge is an incredible feat for a state school to achieve, with many of the students coming from working class backgrounds. It’s a real rags to riches dream story.

“It’s a real testament to the hard work they have put in and proof that hard work results in great success.”

Kieran Felton, Head of Sixth Form, said: “I am delighted with the Sixth Formers & staff at Shoreham Academy. It is incredibly rewarding to be part of such a successful journey.

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“The successful results have been achieved because of strong academic ethos, hard work, determination and ambition to aspire for the very best.”


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Nathaniel Richards will teach photography in France before going to Lincoln UniversityNathaniel Richards will teach photography in France before going to Lincoln University
Nathaniel Richards will teach photography in France before going to Lincoln University

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