Oakmeeds Community College improve on last year’s results by 5%

Colin Taylor, Headteacher of Oakmeeds Community College in Burgess Hill, said it marks his school turning its fortunes around.

“We’re up on last year, that’s the main thing,” he said.

“I would like to congratulate all the students who have worked tirelessly and have been rewarded with good sets of results. We are very pleased that their hard work and that of their teachers has paid off.”

Students who achieved a C grade or above in English Language was up from 62% to 71%, whilst the school performed well in Triple Science, Business Studies and Photography.

Asked if he thought the results marked a turnaround in fortunes for the school since it was put on special measures, the head said ‘absolutely’.

“Some students have some really good sets of results, that’s the most important thing at the end of the day,” he added.

“The main thing is that the kids are happy with what they get those that worked hard did really well.”

“It’s down to the commitment and the hard work of the staff to do their best for the kids.”

Despite missing three months of school through illness, one student from Burgess Hill to achieved one of the highest GCSE results in her year.

When Ellen Shaw, who studied at Oakmeeds Community College, opened her results with her mum, Elke, the pair burst into tears of joy.

“It makes me cry,” Elke said.

“I’m very very proud, she’s been working really hard because she’s had a lot to catch up with, she was ill last year.

“There’s been sleepless nights and so many tears but she’s done it.”

Ellen achieved five A*s and six As despite missing three months with glandular fever.

The 16-year-old said: “I did a lot better than I thought I would.

“I was off for three months so I missed my mocks, I couldn’t do any work at home so I just had to catch up.

“I was up all night a lot and I got upset but it’s all worth it now.”

Ellen went to Reading Festival last weekend to celebrate her success.

Mikaila Gurney achieved all six A*s and four As with a B in Spanish.

When she opened her results she was hugged by mum who said she’s ‘very proud of her’.

Mikaila said: “There’s been a lot of hard work, the teachers have been really supportive, they’ve made us very comfortable. They’ve ben really great.

“It’s nice for the hard work to pay off, I’m proud of myself.”

Mikaila is going on to BHASVIC.

Anjum Nahar achieved five As and five A grades whilst Christina Stempt got four A*s and six As.

Assistant head teacher Anthony Snape said: “They’re very happy, there’s been a lot of hard work put in.

“It’s been a massive effort from the staff and they’re a fantastic year group, they’ve been up for the challenge.”

Susie Fell achieved all grades A*-B with one C.

“I thought I had failed Law but I got a C!” she said.

“I said to my mum all of my friends are getting this or that if they get good grades, What am I going to get?

“She said well you’ll get to go to Sixth Form and maybe if you’re lucky university!”

She is going on to BHASVIC to study English, Law, Biology and German.

Olivia Horn said: “I did good, I don’t know what to say, I’ve worked really hard.

She is going on to study Art, Textiles and Biology in Lewes.

Her friend Ben House said she has been worked really hard, and joked she hadn’t been out with him since she started studying last September

The two are going to celebrate at a party with friends tonight.

Ben said he was pleased to do better than he was expecting.

“I’m going to continue to work hard now,” he added.