Euan off to medical school to be a doctor as school chiefs delighted with A-Level results
84% of students achieved A* to C grades
Sunderland youngster and Southmoor Academy student Euan John McCain is off to medical school to train be a doctor after scoring straight A* grades in maths, chemistry, and biology. The teenager also attained a grade A in his Extended Project Qualification (EPQ), which is worth half an A Level in terms of university entry points.
Euan, 18, said: “I knew before I came into school that I had got my place to study medicine at Newcastle University as I had checked the UCAS website, but I was still nervous as I didn’t know my grades.
“When I opened the envelope and saw my grades, I couldn’t believe it. I’m going to go out for lunch with my parents and then out with my friends to celebrate.”
Euan’s mum, Gill, added: “Euan has worked so hard and was focused on getting the grades he needed. We couldn’t be prouder.”
Another student who performed particularly well was Cerys McQuillan, 18, who achieved an A*, an A, and a grade B.
She said: “My grades are about what I expected. I felt sick coming into school this morning, but I was very happy when I opened my results sheet.
“I’m going to Durham University to study Business Management.”
Emily Howe, 18, attained a distinction* - equivalent of an A* - in BTEC sport, an A* in maths, and a B in physics.
She said: “I felt really ill and couldn’t sleep last night. It was such a relief when I saw my results and worth all the hard work. I’m going to go to the University of Sunderland to train to be a PE teacher.
“Today, I’m going to go for lunch with my mam and dad and then out with friends.”
It was also a nervous night for Emily Mcleish, who was “ecstatic” after achieving a grade A in her EPQ, grade B in English, and two grade Cs in Psychology and History.
Emily, 18, said: “I was up all night and felt physically sick. My results are better than I expected and I was so ecstatic when I opened my envelope that I jumped for joy.
“I would like to become a journalist and so I’m going to go to go to Newcastle University to study English Literature. It’s a nice day and so I’m going to go to the Cooper Rose for a few drinks with my friends.”
Head of Southmoor’s Sixth Form, Kate Draper, said she was “super-proud” of her students.
She added: “All our students achieved at least a pass in their A-Levels or BTECs, with 84% achieving A* to C grades and 55% attaining A* to B grades.
“We are really proud of our students with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) who achieved a 100% pass rate, with 28% attaining the top A* and A grades.
“We are delighted with the results. The students have worked really hard and most of them have got their first choice places.”