Pupils at Risedale School celebrated a significant milestone today as they collected their GCSE grades. The atmosphere was one of celebration and relief, marking the end of a chapter filled with hard work and dedication.

Mrs Greenwood, who took up her post as the school’s new Headteacher last September, expressed her pride in the Year 11 pupils for how they approached the examinations and the commitment evident in their results. “This year we have seen a marked improvement in the number of pupils leaving Risedale with passes in the facilitating qualifications of Maths and English. This means more of our pupils will be able to easily access their chosen post-16 pathways and go on to make a real difference. I am proud of the way this year group has embraced the positive changes we have introduced in school over the last 12 months, and many of them have tackled their GCSEs and alternative qualifications with incredible energy and enthusiasm, even when they have faced challenges, such as attending multiple schools due to parents having important roles in the military.”

Among the year group, there were many notable successes.

• Mollie Thirlwell achieved grade 9s in both of her English qualifications, complemented by top grades in Geography and History, as well as a range of other subjects. Her kindness and warmth shone in all she did, and this, as well as her dedication to learning, will ensure she has a bright future.
• Nathanael Hall brought zest and energy to his studies, being an incredibly articulate pupil. He performed strongly across all his subjects, including notable success in Physics, Engineering and GCSE PE.
• Tallulah-Grace Tomlinson is a mature and dedicated pupil, who teachers describe as ‘a delight to teach’. She was justly rewarded with high grades in Religious Studies and Design and Technology, and is absolutely delighted to have achieved grade 8s in both English qualifications.
• Tyler Cassidy worked exceptionally hard across all avenues of school life, and combined academic prowess with exceptional skill on the piano, with the ability to memorise entire pieces by heart. He achieved top grades in English, Mathematics, Science and Media Studies alongside a strong GCSE in Music.
• Kalob McLoughlin is a thoughtful and considered pupil who was justly rewarded with a grade 8 in Geography and grade 7s in Science, Engineering and English, with further strong passes in other subjects.
• Mlak Bakar epitomises all the values we hold dear at Risedale School: she has continually demonstrated resilience, combined with respect and kindness, while embracing the challenge of learning English as a second language after moving to the UK several years ago. She can now be proud that she has achieved strong passes in English and Mathematics, grade 6s in Science and a strong grade 7 in Religious Studies—a true role model for everyone.

Mrs Greenwood added: “None of this would be possible without our dedicated team of staff, who have worked hard to implement new, improved ways of working and have gone the ‘extra mile’ for so many young people. Their commitment to our pupils and genuine care shine through on a daily basis. The Risedale Family congratulates the Class of 2025 and wishes them every success in their future endeavours. We hope we have helped to shape them to be the 'BEST' version of themselves, and that they continue to demonstrate the Risedale values of RESPONSIBILITY, RESPECT and RESILIENCE, and prioritise building healthy RELATIONSHIPS throughout their lives.”

As the pupils now prepare for the next stage of their lives, the future looks bright for the Class of 2025. With the support of their dedicated teachers, they are well-equipped to face new challenges and continue to embody the Risedale values in their future endeavours.

#TeamRisedale 💙💜🧡❤️ #BEST

RESPONSIBILITY  RESPECT  RESILIENCE  RELATIONSHIPS

Photo Credit: North Yorkshire Council

Photo Credit: Risedale School