Lucy Oswin - As well as being a dedicated student at St John’s Catholic School and Sixth Form College, in Bishop Auckland, Lucy Oswin is a talented performer. She has been in the school choir since Year 7 and has also been in several school musicals, including the role of Cosette in Les Miserables, and taking the lead of Elsa in this year’s production of Frozen.
She has consistently displayed the school virtues and has been an incredible role model to younger students. Now she can celebrate gaining GCSE results in Science 8/8; RE 9; English Language 9; English Literature 8; Maths 8; History 7; French 7; Geography 8, which will take her on to sixth form to study Maths, Chemistry, English and History.
She said: “All of my subject teachers have helped me to grow and reach my full potential. My pastoral tutor has been an incredible support with any issues I might have, and I cannot thank the Performing Arts department enough for helping me to excel musically and being involved in so many amazing opportunities, trips and performances.
“St John’s really has got the best out of me and I can’t wait to continue my journey into Sixth Form.”
Lucy Crosby - Lucy has not let dyslexia defeat her and her hard work has paid off with GCSE successes in Science 6/6; RE 7; English Language 6; English Literature 7; Maths 5; Drama 6; Art 7; History 6. The St John’s Catholic School and Sixth Form College student has shown incredible resilience and self-belief in all aspects of school life. As well as working hard for her GCSEs, Lucy took on the lead role of Anna in the school’s production of Frozen and is keen to continue to go on to study a Stage and Screen Course for her next steps.
Lucy said: “I have loved my time at St John’s and have been given so many amazing opportunities, including theatre trips and school productions. School has really helped support me with my dyslexia ensuring I could achieve my best, and I feel I have been given really good support and advice with career options.”
Kiera Pedelty - Keira is on Team GB pathway for Gymnastics, and is a future Olympic hopeful and attending training sessions around the county has meant that she has had to miss some GCSE lessons. However, the St John’s Catholic School and Sixth Form College student has always ensured that she has completed all of her school work and has balanced a heavy workload both in and outside of school with great success.
Her success with her results, Science 5/5; RE 6; English Language 5; English Literature 6; Maths 5; History 6; PE 6; Enterprise & Marketing D2, means that she will be moving on to New College Durham to complete a Business Course.
She said of her time at St John’s: “It has been great to see my improvement through school over the past few years, thanks to the support of school staff through after school interventions, daily boosters, and mock exams to help ensure I was as prepared as possible.”
Yasmin Watson - Not only has Yasmin nearly always been in the top 10 in the year group for her academic progress, and achievement points at St John’s Catholic School and Sixth Form College, Bishop Auckland, she is also a keen athlete and cross-country runner.
Outside school she has done a lot of work raising money for charities, including Sir Bobby Robson’s Foundation, Children’s Cancer North, charities for the homeless, and for an orphanage in Ukraine for children who lost parents in the war.
Her success in her GCSEs has been well earned, gaining Science 7/7; RE 9; English Language 8; English Literature 7; Maths 6; Sports Science D*2; Health & Social Care D*2, and plans to stay on in the sixth form at St John’s to study Sports Science, Geography and Psychology.
“St John’s staff have really supported me all the way through school, including through some of my most difficult moments in my personal life,” she said.
“Their support has been amazing, particularly during exams which I have found tough, and they have checked in with me every day and helped me be more resilient.”
Kate Million - Kate is not only a talented sport all-rounder, but she has often been one of the top performing students in the year group at St John’s Catholic School and Sixth Form College, part of the Bishop Hogarth Catholic Education Trust.
Her unwavering commitment has seen her glean GCSEs in Science 8/8; RE 8; English Language 6; English Literature 6; Maths 8; PE 9; Spanish 7; and Geography 8.
Kate’s next step is to Durham Johnston Sixth Form to study Geography, Economics, Psychology and PE with the intention to then go to university.
She credits the staff at her school for helping her to do so well, saying: “All my teachers have been incredibly supportive, especially during exam season. They go out of their way to provide us with extra information and support to help us to do our absolute best, including giving up their holidays and weekends.
“St John’s also has so many great enrichment opportunities, many of which I have been lucky enough to be a part of.”
Max Pickering - Not only has Max done exceptionally well in his exams, but he is also the current national boxing champion in the under 57KG category.
While at St John’s Catholic School and Sixth Form College, he has balanced his training outside of school whilst maintaining a laser focus on his school studies.
Staff commended his calm and persistent approach to everything that he does, and he is now celebrating exam success with Science 6/6; RE 7; English Language 8; English Literature 7; History 7; Spanish 5, and Geography 7.
He has been described as ‘an asset the sporting life of St John’s throughout his time here, competing in athletic tournaments and cross country and regional level’, and is now moving on to New College Durham for a degree apprenticeship in Estimating.
On his time at St John’s, Max said: “I will cherish my time at St John’s, especially the friends I have made and the bonds which I have formed. Staff have supported me through booster sessions which I have found so beneficial and have helped me to balance my studies with my boxing commitments, always encouraging my passions and celebrating my achievements.”
Thomas German-Iddon - Thomas has balanced his football coaching outside of school, whilst maintaining an excellent work ethic while at St John’s Catholic School and Sixth Form College, part of the Bishop Hogarth Catholic Education Trust. Thomas has had success in French 7; PE 6; Re 7; English Language 8; English Literature 7; Maths 8; and Triple Science - Biology 6; Chemistry 8; Physics 7.
The school says that he has shown an exemplary focus and determination throughout.
Donald Beitku - Donald is described as a ‘true asset’ to St John’s Catholic School and Sixth Form College, and a popular member of the year group, since he joined in February 2024.
He has a particular aptitude for science and has demonstrated an outstanding attitude to learning, achieving Science 9/8; RE 9; English Language 6; English Literature 6; Maths 8; Sports Science D*2; History 8; and French 6.
Head of Year 11, Karl Oxberry, said: “We are incredibly proud of our students receiving their GCSE results today. These outcomes represent the culmination of five years of hard work, dedication, and resilience. From beginning their journey at St John's during a global pandemic to leaving with excellent results, each individual success reflects the commitment and enthusiasm required to thrive. We extend our very best wishes to all our students as they take their next steps, and we look forward to welcoming many of them back to our Sixth Form in September.”