As it prepares to become part of the new Sheppey Academy, Minster College has recorded its best ever GCSE results. Emma Grove reports.

Minster College has ended on a high note after receiving record GCSE results this year – a week before it opens its door as the Isle of Sheppey Academy.

Hundreds of pupils were at the school in Minster Road earlier today to collect their results and find out how they got on.

Headteacher Alan Klee says he is delighted that 50 per cent of candidates achieved five or more A*- C GCSEs – six per cent more than last year.

This compares nationally with the 67 per cent of pupils who scored between and A* - C.

This year, 412 students sat their GCSEs and took an average of 12 exams each.

Overall there was a 95 per cent pass rate of students achieving an A - G grade.

Star pupil was 16-year-old Lucy Boyle, who got 11 A*-C grades, including three A*.

There were also three students who took 16 exams – Charlie Sherriff, Amy Smith and Victoria Studd, all 16.

Jessica Cooke, 16, from Sheerness, was pleased with her results, which included two Bs in child development and religious education and a C in English.

Jessica is going to stay on at the Isle of Sheppey Academy to study a level three in child development.

Minster resident Sam Hodgson, 16, is going to Canterbury College to study A-level in history, performing arts and photography after getting two As in science and history, and A* in religious education, B in maths and Cs in English.

Dan Slight, from Minster, was happy with his results – he achieved two Bs in construction and built environment, Cs in science and IT, Ds in English, maths and humanities and an E in religious education.

Dan, 16, got the results he needed to go to Canterbury College to do a course in plumbing.

Sam Chamberlain, 16, from Minster, is also going to Canterbury College to do engineering and maintenance.

He got a pass in his public service exam, Ds in English, maths and design technology and Es in science and PE.

Halfway resident, 16-year-old Molly Wilson, was really pleased with her results and she is going to Cantebury College to do dance.

Her results included an A in dance, B in English, C in English literature and a C in sociology.

Olivia Baylis, 16, from Halfway, is hoping to become a journalist and is staying on at the academy to do A-levels in English and media.

Olivia got As in English literature, religious education and dance, a B in English and Cs in science and maths.

'Very proud of staff and students'

Mr Klee said when he first started at the school the pass rate was 19 per cent.

He said to go from that to 50 per cent in five years is a credit to the hard work of the students and staff.

He added: “We have never had better results.

“I’m very proud of all the staff and students and what they have achieved in the last five years.

“It’s a very good platform for the academy to build on.”

“Minster College is finishing on a high note which is fantastic – I’m delighted.”

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