Our School
Exam Success
2024
Highest ever progress score for Cardinal Newman School!
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Students at Cardinal Newman School in Luton, part of the St Thomas Catholic Academies Trust, are celebrating superb GCSE results that may lead to one of the school’s highest ever progress scores.
Provisional data suggests that the school will have a Progress 8 score that is significantly above the national average – which Mark McLaughlin, Executive Headteacher, said is testament to the school’s community given the disruption over the school’s building over the last academic year.
Mark said: “We are so proud of the students and staff of this school. Despite a challenging year for the school, this community of families, staff and the wider community, we have delivered some of our best ever levels of progress, secured a glowing report from Ofsted and supported exceptionally high outcomes in the Sixth Form with almost every child securing their first choice place of university, apprenticeship or work.
“This school was founded by the Luton community and serves that community and there is no better way to serve a community than through the wonderful achievements of our students. This Year 11 cohort are exceptional, and we are so proud of them and we know that great success awaits them in future.”
Some of the smiling faces celebrating top results at Cardinal Newman School today include:
- Ifunanya Umeano achieved seven grade 9s. Ifuanya said: “I am really pleased with my results, but I could not have achieved them without my friends, family and teachers support”
- Malachy White is celebrating six grade 9s and two grade 8s. He said: “I feel really happy with my results. I think my hard work paid off.”
- Rose Kelly is proud to take home two grade 9s and seven grade 8s, attributing her success to her support network. She said: “I couldn’t have done it without the people around me and I am so grateful to have attended such a supportive school.”
- Joseph Paul has achieved an amazing two grade 9s and seven grade 8s
- Amaris Contreras was delighted with his results with three grade 9s, three grade 8s and three grade 7s. She said: “I am really thankful to all the teachers and friends who supported me so that I could be happy with the results I achieved.”
- Patrick Bradley is thrilled to have received three grade 9s, three grade 8s and one grade 7.
Joe Richardson, CEO of St Thomas Catholic Academies Trust, added: "Huge congratulations to students and staff on a great achievement. Cardinal Newman School has been a pillar of strength in the education community across Luton for years and continues to thrive thanks to the hard work of students, the dedication of staff and the work of the Academy Trust. It is a very special place for students to learn and grow."
Celebrations for Cardinal Newman School students after A Level success
Celebrations were in full force at Cardinal Newman School in Luton, part of the St Thomas Catholic Academies Trust, as students celebrated amazing A Level and Level 3 results that topped last year’s figures and well above local averages.
The rate of A*-A (23%) and A*-B grades (46%) was especially high, particularly in Maths, English Language, Languages, History, Media, PE and Criminology, leading to an impressive 74% of students already confirmed for their first choice of university, and others going into apprenticeships or their choice of work. An impressive 12% of students secured at least A, A, B from their results due to their hard work and the high quality teaching they received.
Shelley Blackbird, Head of Sixth Form, said: “It has been an absolutely incredible morning for us all here, watching our students see their futures unfold thanks to their amazing achievements. Our young people have worked so hard to realise their goals and we hope each and every one of them is as proud of themselves as we are of them.
“We are also proud of our brilliant staff whose dedication to providing the best possible learning for our students has led to the fantastic outcomes today!”
Cardinal Newman students have achieved phenomenal results, with 36% of this year’s cohort confirmed to attend Russell Group Universities including Cambridge, Kings, UCL, Warwick and Bath to study a range of subjects such as Mathematics, Law, Artificial Intelligence Politics, International Studies with French and more!
A significant number of students are also signed up for Degree Apprenticeships such as Auditing at Miller and Co., Engineering at Thames Water and one student embarking on a career as a Police Constable.
Kaitlyn Butterly was thrilled to receive three A*s today, securing her a place to read English at Cambridge University. She said: “I'm feeling really happy, a bit overwhelmed, but I'm really excited. I've loved my time at Newman and everyone has been so supportive.”
Mateusz Zajac is celebrating his A*, A* and B grades today, saying: “My next plans are to study Mathematics at Bristol. I had a lovely time at Newman, it felt so closely knit.”
One family is celebrating double success today, thanks to Sereena and Sandra Soby – known at school as ‘The Soby Sisters' – who each received A*A*A and A*A*A*. Speaking together, they said: “We are very happy and proud of our results. We had really good teachers, they always motivated and encouraged us to do our best and we definitely wouldn't be here without them. We're both going to Bath to study Computer Science and can't wait.”
Other high achievers included Zara Fallon who received A*, A, A and Michaella Emeh who triumphed with A*, A*, and A grades.
Talking about their time at Cardinal Newman, Zara said: “The Sixth Form team have been so supportive, they know you really well and everything they do feels so personal.”
Michaella added: “I’m really happy with my results, in September I'm going to UCL to study Medicine and I'm really excited. I've been at Newman since Year 7 and have loved my time here. I'm so sad to leave!”
Shelley Blackbird concluded: “These incredible young people are the leaders and changemakers of the future and it has been a privilege to be part of their educational journey. I have absolutely no doubt that all of them will go on to shine in their chosen professions and passions and look forward to seeing the impact they will have in the future.”
2023
Students at Cardinal Newman Catholic School, part of the St Thomas Catholic Academies Trust, were full of smiles today as they celebrated some highly impressive GCSE results.
Overall, figures are up in almost every measure from the last set of comparable results in 2019, including attainment. 65% of all students achieved 5+ standard passes, including English & Maths, and an incredible 98% of all students achieved 5+ passes. 48% of students achieved a strong pass in English and maths.
Andrew Bull, (former) Headteacher, said: “We're absolutely thrilled with this year's GCSE result. They’re a testament to the hard work of our students and the dedication of our teachers. I am incredibly proud of this year group and all that they have achieved. The support that the staff have given this year group has been immense and they should also be congratulated.
“Seeing our students celebrating their results this morning was an amazing experience for all of us and it’s hard to say whose smiles are bigger – students or staff!”
Top performers at the school include the following:
- Olivia Mascibroda – Eight Grade 9s
- Ciaran Hayes - Seven Grade 9s
- Sean Hewison – Six Grade 9s
- Luca Fiata – Five Grade 9s
- Karolina Dabroska – Five Grade 9s
- Mollie Maguire – Five Grade 9s
- Jamie Tse – Five Grade 9s
- Adora ASEKOMHE – Five Grade 9s
- Liam Duffy – Four Grade 9s
- Elijah Watson – Four Grade 9s
All the students can’t wait to start the next phase of their educational journey.
Mr Bull added: “We are excited to be welcoming a huge number of students back to Cardinal Newman Sixth and wish those taking a different path every success with their journey. These achievements pave the way for promising futures, and we couldn't be prouder of their accomplishments.”
2022
GCSE
“The students at Cardinal Newman have not only pulled it off again, but totally surpassed themselves. The students have increased the grades from the last set of examined exams in 2019. We cannot forget that this year all these students have done an incredible job at the first time of asking of formal public exams having spent a significant amount of their senior school life learning online. I am incredibly proud of each and every one of them and these results each tell a story of overcoming adversity and resilience. Over 70% of all students achieved the Basic passes (4+) and 52% achieved the strong passes in both (5+) in English and Maths and 26% of grades were at the very top level of 9-7 which is an extraordinary achievement! The students now have the results that they need to take the next steps in their educational, training or work journey. We are very excited to be welcoming a huge number back to Newman Sixth and wish all those that are going on to pastures new every blessing. Cardinal Newman is a special place and seeing the students celebrating with their teachers, parents and each other was incredible this morning!”
A-Level
“The Year 13 students who have just completed their A-Levels and Vocational Qualifications and achieved a tremendous set of results should not just be congratulated but recognised as an outstanding group of young men and women. Not only have they had to deal with all that gets thrown at you as you navigate A-Levels but they are also the year group who were not able to sit their GCSE exams due to the COVID pandemic. What they have achieved is truly incredible. 20% of all grades were As and A*s with 12 students achieving a clean sweep of all As and A*s. 48% of all grades were A*-B and we had a 99% pass rate. This is a tremendous achievement and considering the circumstances the best set of results that the students could have achieved. Congratulations to all the students and thank you to all the staff who went above and beyond in their support for these fine young men and women in the build up to their exams and deadlines. As headteacher I couldn’t be more proud of what they have managed to achieve by displaying resilience and success through their hard work, endeavour and living out our school motto of ‘Together towards our Lord, through learning, love and faith.’
We have students heading off to study medicine, law, history, nursing, business, engineering, accountancy and many many other courses. Others who are doing degree apprenticeships and a whole host of other avenues to continue to being the best version of themselves. These results have enabled them to make these steps. Well done!”
2021
“The students at Cardinal Newman have performed to one of the highest levels of performance the school has ever seen. The Teacher Assessed Grades we submitted were the result of a rigorous process including sets of mock exams and assessments – which included unseen full past papers, marked to the exam specification criteria and standardised - so we are sure that they are a true reflection of their ability. Students and teachers have worked under exceptional circumstances over the past 18 months and I am incredibly proud of the results that they have achieved. They have had to overcome challenges that no other year group has ever faced and they are to be congratulated on these results”.
Universities our students will be bringing our set of values to include; Oxford, Kings College, Reading, Kent, Keele, York, Liverpool, Bristol, Loughborough, London, Leeds, Bath, Nottingham, Royal Holloway, Brighton, Exeter, Leicester, Portsmouth, Bournemouth, Birmingham, Sheffield, Brunel and many other!
Several our students are undertaking apprenticeships up and down the country including with Ernst & Young, Quantity Surveying, Court Clerking, IT, Engineering and Finance & Business.
2020
Obviously this has been a challenging time for all in the Newman community. But as always students and staff have risen to the challenge and, as in previous years, many of our students will now be going on to some of the best universities in Britain or into high quality apprenticeships. Following the cancellation of the exams this year we now need to focus on ensuring that every single one of our students moves on successfully to the next stage of their education and/or employment. We are here to provide our students with whatever support they need at this time.
Following the cancellation of the A level exams, the process of calculating a grade for every student in every subject had been undertaken by Newman teachers in a rigorous and professional way to ensure that each individual got a fair and a just outcome.
That said, the students at Newman College have once again achieved excellent results in their A levels. Over 50% of all grades awarded were A*-B while 75% were A*-C. In the most recent government performance tables Newman6th was in the top 3% of Sixth Forms in England and Wales.
Our academic success has always been inextricably linked with our focus on nurturing young adults and preparing them in every way for what lies ahead, whether that be academia or the world of work. We encourage everyone who attends our college to go on from here, always keen to learn about, and care about, the world around them.
“It’s not about the grade, it never was… Please continue learning, but not for the test. Continue because it is all still (and always was) worth knowing.”
We could not be prouder of our students, past and present, for the contribution they are making and will make – to their families, to their friends and the communities in which they work and live, and the staff are very much looking forward to welcoming our new cohort in September, face to face.
2019
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Key stage 4
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16 TO 19 (Key Stage 5)
- The progress students have made in English and Maths: English Progress 0.40; Maths progress 0.04.
- The progress students have made compared with students across England +0.05
- The average grade that students in your college get at 16 to 19 study (key stage 5) C
- Student ‘retention’ (the percentage of students who get to the end of their study programme) 98.3%
- Student ‘destinations’:
percentage of students who continue in education or training 86%, or
move on to employment at the end of 16 to 19 study 11%