On behalf of the whole Tytherington School community, I would like to congratulate the achievements of the GCSE class of 2021. I would like to pay tribute to this year group who have had two academic years disrupted as a result of the pandemic. Despite this, the class of 2021 have risen to the challenge.

In line with the other local schools, we will not be releasing headline measures this year although what I will say is that we are celebrating a brilliant set of results in the context of an unprecedented set of circumstances. We are particularly proud of the progress students have made in relation to their starting points.

A number of students achieved seven or more grades at 7+ and I would like to take this opportunity to formally congratulate them on their exceptional achievement (* indicates those students that achieved Grade 9s across all of their subjects):

As you will know, beyond the headlines there are so many stories of students who have achieved against the odds or have faced incredible challenges. There are some great stories of individual success, with many students making huge progress over the course of their time at Tytherington School. I could name so many students who have done very well.

I would also like to take this opportunity to highlight a few students who exemplify the achievement of the students in Year 11.

• Alongside securing nine GCSEs, Alfie Blyth-Russell won the World Sled Dog Championships while in Year 10. He secured his World Champion status racing over a 5km course on the Firle Estate, near Brighton, where he beat over 200 competitors from all over the world. This capped a period of five years during which he was Champion of The Siberian Husky Club of Great Britain 4 times at the annual Aviemore rally. An amazing achievement!
• Eddie Mackintosh has combined his GCSE studies with competing at the very highest levels as one of GB’s top Kayakers. Eddie adds ten Grade 7+ GCSEs to his canoeing exploits. He is one to watch in the future!
• Anna Whitworth-Hay’s nine GCSEs have been achieved alongside selection for the GB Cycling Team Sprint Apprentice Program – the only female to be selected this year. Anna has had to balance an intensive training regime with preparation for GCSEs. Two weeks ago, Anna competed in the National Youth Championships in Glasgow where she won the U16 Sprint and the 500 metres time trial. Anna’s ambition is to take the next step and be selected for the Junior GB Team and then progress further.
• Harry Donohoe added a Certificate of Merit from the incredibly demanding Liverpool Mathematical Society Open Challenge to his haul of eleven Grade 9s at GCSE. Harry also took Further Mathematics in addition to his other GCSEs.

Whilst we are delighted that so many students have achieved well this year, what matters to us most is that the youngsters leave here as A* people with a real desire to make a positive difference to the world, particularly during these exceptional times. These results are a consequence of the exceptionally hard graft of our students combined with the passion and enthusiasm of our staff. We look forward to seeing what this special year group will achieve in the future.