Dukeries Academy pupils celebrate A Level success

Twenty four per cent of students secured places at prestigious Russell Group universities, including Oxford and Durham while 89 per cent were offered their first choice place.

Overall, students of the academy achieved a 100 per cent pass rate with 24 per cent of grades at A* and A.

Two of the success stories are Ben Hughes and Millie Barrett.

Ben achieved three A grades and will be going to Oxford University (Merton College) to study history.

This is a remarkable achievement, as Ben has overcome challenges related to dyslexia.

He attended the UNIQ Oxford summer school, which inspired him to apply for a place, and then sat the Oxford HAT the History admissions test and undertook a two-day interview, being offered a place early in 2020.

Millie achieved the top vocational grades at the academy, achieving a C grade in Biology, a Distinction and a Distinction* in her BTEC qualifications.

She will be studying nursing at Northumbria University and is the first in her family to go to university.

Principal Ged Rae said: “I am delighted by the achievements of our Dukeries Academy Sixth Form students.

"Working with our talented and highly committed staff, they have achieved the success that their hard work and determination most certainly deserved. Individually and collectively, I am confident that this group of young people will go on to be positive change makers in their own and other people’s lives. I wish them well.”

Andrew Wilson, executive principal, said: “At Academy Transformation Trust, we strive to ensure that our students are challenged and supported through a superb range of high quality courses which are continually developing in conjunction with our partner academies in Nottinghamshire including ATTFE and Sutton Community Academy, which is also celebrating record success including having Oxbridge as a student destination.

"Congratulations to staff at The Dukeries Academy for their hard work and to students for their commitment and efforts which have been rewarded with them able to move with confidence to their next phase of education, apprenticeship or employment.”