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St Mary’s Catholic School A-levels: ‘Foundations of school remain strong and steadfast, and our students continue to flourish’




The heads of the St Mary’s Catholic School “family” have paid tribute to the A-level achievements of their Year 13 cohort in their first ever public exams.

The batch of “excellent” results means students at the Windhill secondary school in Bishop’s Stortford will be able to take up top university, apprenticeship and employment offers, despite the national issue of grade boundary changes and challenges faced during the Covid pandemic.

Nathan Ilsley achieved a clean sweep of four A*s in his subjects and is off to Cambridge to study engineering, Emily Evers will read biology at Oxford after achieving two A*s and a B while Nina Sydee, who got one A* and three As, is hopeful of a place at Cambridge to study veterinary medicine.

Oxbridge set, from left, Emily Evers, Nathan Ilsley and Nina Sydee
Oxbridge set, from left, Emily Evers, Nathan Ilsley and Nina Sydee

Edward Luppi (two A*s and an A) will study economics at Bath, Leonardo Malagoli (three As) will read physics at UCL, Aliyah Surujbally (three As) will take chemistry at Leeds, Shemirah Alawode (three As) is off to Loughborough to study management and Antonia Szlosarek (A*, A, B) will be reading architecture at UCL.

Other higher education destinations include Warwick, Sheffield, Durham, King's College London, Nottingham and York.

Headteacher Tom Johnston said: “This is an important milestone for these students, their families and the whole school community as we continue to move on from the effects of the pandemic.

Leonardo Malagoli (A, A, A) will study physics at UCL
Leonardo Malagoli (A, A, A) will study physics at UCL

“In doing so, we reveal that the foundations of St Mary’s Catholic School remain strong and steadfast. Our students continue to flourish, achieving academic excellence whilst at the same time developing into caring, compassionate and responsible members of society.

“I would like to thank wholeheartedly the teaching and associate staff, who have worked tirelessly both with their classes and individual students. Thank you also to all of our parents for your positive support for the school over the last seven years.

“The results have given the students the key to their next steps, and we celebrate them all, but strong academic outcomes are only a part of our ambitions for students at St Mary’s.”

Deputy head Deirdre McHugh, who has been leading the sixth form, said: “St Mary’s is a family community and we base our approach firmly in Catholic values so that students leave us after Year 13 with excellent results but also with a social conscience, a moral compass and as well-rounded individuals. It is all of these aspects in collaboration that will enable each student to flourish and be resilient as they face an ever-changing world.

Shemirah Alawode achieved three As and will study management at Loughborough University
Shemirah Alawode achieved three As and will study management at Loughborough University

“I am so proud of each individual, and although they leave the school today, they will always be in our hearts and part of the St Mary’s Catholic School family.”

Aliyah Surujbally (A, A, A) will study chemistry at the University of Leeds.
Aliyah Surujbally (A, A, A) will study chemistry at the University of Leeds.
Antonia Szlosarek (A*, A, B) will study architecture at UCL
Antonia Szlosarek (A*, A, B) will study architecture at UCL
Edward Luppi (A*, A*, A) will read economics at the University of Bath
Edward Luppi (A*, A*, A) will read economics at the University of Bath

A-level results: Former Birchwood High School student Olivia Singh recalls her own results day



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