Exceptional GCSE success for James
Cundall Manor is celebrating an exceptional set of GCSE results this year, surpassing last year’s results, which placed the school as the Top Performing Independent School in North Yorkshire for Attainment 8, the government measure based on pupils’ achievement across eight GCSE subjects.
This is a significant accomplishment and reflects both the strength and breadth of a Cundall education.
Bucking the national trend, pupils averaged over eight good grades (9-4) and they all passed Maths GCSE and Science, matching last year’s perfect record in English Language. (44% of grades were 9-7)
The school’s top performer was separate sciences student James, who has been at the school since nursery and placed himself in the top 0.1% in the country by achieving an extraordinary ten Grade 9s (which also included Further Maths and Computing) and will now move on to Shrewsbury School on an Academic Scholarship.
“I am very, very happy! The teachers have all been truly amazing!”
His academic achievements are impressive in their own right, but James’s time at Cundall has been characterised by much more than examination results. He has embraced the breadth of opportunities available to him and, in doing so, has embodied the confidence and willingness to get involved that Cundall seeks to inspire in every pupil.
Having first begun LAMDA in Year 5, he developed a genuine passion for the stage and was determined to complete his Grade 8 before sitting his GCSEs. He undertook an intensive 12-week course and achieved his Grade 8 LAMDA with Distinction.
A familiar face on the Cundall stage, James has taken part in every school production during his time at the school and is also one quarter of the much-loved school rock band “Bangers and Thrash” as bass guitarist. The band’s performances have taken them beyond the school gates, including appearances at festivals this summer.
He has completed both his Bronze and Silver Duke of Edinburgh’s Awards, UKSA Sailing qualification in Cowes and numerous mountaineering expeditions.
James has been equally committed on the sports pitches, winning the ‘Botham Cup for All-Round Achievement in Boys Sport’ on Speech Day. He has represented the school in competitive hockey, including being part of the Cundall team that won bronze at the ISA National Finals last year.
James leaves Cundall with exceptional academic results, but his success is also best measured by the extraordinary breadth of his school life. From the classroom to the stage, from the hockey pitch to the mountains, and from concert performances to expeditions, he has made the very most of the opportunities available to him. His ten Grade 9s provide a fitting conclusion to an outstanding Cundall career and an exciting springboard for the next chapter at Shrewsbury.
We wish him all the best!
You may also like
Cundall celebrates exceptional GCSE results
Rising Star: Ali Honoured in National Hockey Awards
