Inspirational 2021 GCSE results

Students were praised for their courage, resilience and fortitude throughout the pandemic as they collected exam results that will form the bedrock of their continued learning.

Students at Bishop Hogarth Catholic Education Trust’s schools – Carmel College, Darlington, St John’s Catholic School and Sixth Form College, Bishop Auckland, The English Martyrs Catholic School and Sixth Form College, Hartlepool, St Michael’s Catholic Academy, Billingham and Our Lady & St Bede Catholic Academy, Stockton – enjoyed success after adapting their studies to lockdown, remote learning and year group bubbles.

Chief executive of the Bishop Hogarth Catholic Education Trust Dame Maura Regan said: “The disruption to students’ education over the past two years has been unprecedented yet these young people have taken it all in their stride with a cheery fortitude that is a lesson to us all.”

Carmel College principal Mike Shorten said: “We are all so proud of the students. It is always a privilege to be able to celebrate their success with their families. It has been a tough year and...