Students across the North East celebrated their A-Level results on Thursday, with many securing places at top universities. Among them, Eddie Seery from Dame Allan's School achieved A* grades in Economics, History and Spanish and will study History and Spanish at the University of Oxford.
Dame Allan's Students Excel
The 18-year-old from Gosforth said: "It feels amazing to achieve these grades – I’m so relieved. I chose to study History and Spanish because they’re the two subjects I love the most, and as part of the course I’ll get to study abroad for a year." He credited his participation in a World Challenge expedition to Ecuador last year, which influenced his choices, and noted that open days at Oxford helped him overcome his initial trepidation about applying.
Eddie has been a pupil at Dame Allan’s since nursery and is the fourth member of his family to attend the school. He said: "I’ve loved my time at Dame Allan’s. Over the years I’ve definitely become more resilient and open-minded, and I’ve learnt how important it is to grasp every opportunity on offer." His prefect role as Junior School Liaison Officer was a highlight of Year 13.
Will Scott, Principal at Dame Allan’s School, said: "Eddie’s results are a fantastic achievement, but what’s particularly pleasing is seeing a pupil who has been part of Dame Allan’s since nursery now taking the next step to Oxford. He has made the most of the opportunities here, and we’re looking forward to seeing where his ambition takes him."
Aspiring Actor and Bede Academy Success
Aspiring actor Ella McFetrich, from Morpeth, also celebrated top grades, achieving A grades in History, Psychology and Theatre Studies. She will join Newcastle Theatre Royal’s Project A actor training programme. Ella, who has performed since age three, said: "I’ve always loved performing. There’s so much joy in it. When we couldn’t perform during Covid, it felt like I was missing something because there were no shows for years." She holds a Grade 8 with distinction in LAMDA acting and dreams of performing on the West End.
At Bede Academy, students achieved 49 A and A* grades in A levels. Lily Malligan secured a place at Oxford University with A* in English literature, A* in psychology and an A in religious studies. Twins Thomas and Jack Wormwell also excelled, with Thomas earning A grades in business studies, French and geography, and Jack achieving three A* grades in computing, mathematics and physics.
Choosing the North East
Civ Kesavan, a student at The English Martyrs Sixth Form College in Hartlepool, turned down an offer from the University of Cambridge to study Medicine at Newcastle University. He secured A*, A*, and A grades in Chemistry, Biology, and Maths. He said: "I was attracted by the ‘hands-on’ nature of the course offered at Newcastle, but I was also inspired by my Chemistry teacher at English Martyrs, Dr Bawdon, to think about staying in the North East."
Civ, who moved to Hartlepool at age one, said: "The people here are really pleasant. In the big cities, I find people are very rushed and can be quite brusque, but in the North East, everyone is friendly and down-to-earth."
