'A proud moment' as St Aidan's and St Anthony's Sixth Form collect A-Level results

“We’re so proud and it’s sad to see them go, but we know they’re ready to take those next steps,” says the head at St Aidan’s and St Anthony’s Catholic Sixth Form as 175 pupils collected their A-Level results this morning.

Around 45% of pupils at the Sixth Form, which has sites at both St Anthony’s and the St Aidan’s Briery in Ashbrooke, achieved A* to B results, with 15% of students achieving A*- A , meaning the vast majority got into their first choice university, with many also opting for apprenticeships and employment.

Among those collecting results were 18-year-olds Kendrix Mayamaya, who achieved A*,A*,A; Ben Fawcett who achieved A*,A,A; Joshua Ogunbode, who achieved A*,A,A; Matilda Gois, who achieved A*,A,A,A and Ava Fawell, who achieved A*,A,A,B.

Ava, from Ashbrooke, hit the right note with her results to go on and study music at Durham University.

“I was really nervous this morning, but really pleased,” she said. “Durham has a great a music course and is the place I really wanted to study.”

Matilda, from Doxford Park, meanwhile, will be moving to Dundee to study medicine: “I was nervous but very relieved. I chose medicine because it’s a subject I’m really interested in and it’s a job that can make a positive impact.”

Another top achiever was Kendrix Mayamaya who is set to pursue finance at Newcastle University. He said: "I am feeling really happy. I put a lot of hard work and effort into my A Levels, and it has paid off. I hope to work in the finance sector in the future."

Another success story was Joshua Ogunbode, who is off to Oxford University to study Experimental Psychology. Joshua said: “I am proud of the grades I achieved at A-Level. It was a lot of effort, but thankfully it was worth it in the end. I am off to study experimental psychology at Oxford in October this year.”

Ben Fawcett is looking forward to studying mechanical engineering at Newcastle University, saying:“I am delighted with the grades I have managed to achieve. I have worked hard since the start of year 12 as I knew I wanted to study mechanical engineering at university and I am very excited about starting the course.”

Sam Ward, head of St Aidan’s and St Anthony’s Catholic Sixth Form, said: “We’re incredibly proud of our Sixth Form students who’ve worked so hard for their A-Level and Btec studies and achieved outstanding results.

“It’s a massive life change, but we prepare them well for it and give them lots of advice and support, from planning their finances to changes in how they study as they become independent learners.

“It’s a big moment for our staff as well. We’re so proud and it’s sad to see them go, but we know they’re ready to take those next steps.”

Anne-Marie Whitten, headteacher at St Aidan’s, said: “Many of our pupils have been with us for seven years and we’ve been a huge part of their lives so far, so we feel really proud to see the results of their hard work today.

“A huge benefit of our Sixth Form is that we have two sets of staff with a broad range of specialisms and we place a strong emphasis on career advice and support. We want our pupils to have happy and successful careers and it’s so important that young people know what they can achieve and are supported in those aspirations.

“It is sad to see them go, but many keep in touch and come and see us.”

St Aidan’s is currently undergoing huge changes with a £42million rebuild to replace the ageing 1970s facilities, with Alumni events to introduce former pupils to the new state-of-the-art facilities.

The main block of the major rebuild is due to be completed in Spring next year.

St Aidan’s & St Anthony’s Catholic Sixth Form open evening is at 4.30 - 6.30 pm on Thursday 15 October 2026. To find out more visit aaasixthform.com